UPDATE: Standoff at Suvarnabhumi – Thai Immigration reverse decision

Speaking at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport where Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun is refusing to board a flight back to her family that she fled in Saudi Arabi, Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn says now that Thailand has reversed it’s thinking on the matter and will not deport her against her will.

“If deporting would result in her death we definitely won’t do that,” he said.

He said, “Since Thailand is the Land of Smiles we won’t send someone to their death.”

The head of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau said the Saudi teenager who fled her family to seek asylum in Australia will not be forcibly deported from Thailand.

Representatives from the UNHCR have been speaking to the woman since 5pm this afternoon.

“The important thing we have to keep in mind is maintaining diplomatic relations, and also her safety as well,” he said.

Police cordoned off the Miracle Transit Hotel at Suvarnabhumi International Airport earlier today after Alqunun refused to leave her room and board a 11:15am Kuwaiti Airlines flight this morning. Alqunun’s father is on his way to Bangkok and expected to arrive this evening.

This morning, Pruettipong Prayonsiri, commander of the Immigration Bureau’s airport division, said police were working with Saudi Arabia’s embassy to send her back to her family.

“Wherever they came from, they have to go back there.”

His comments have drawn a firestorm of criticism on Thai social media claiming his words were thoughtless since no investigation into the woman’s circumstances had been undertaken.