Saudi woman running from family held at Bangkok airport

An 18-year-old Saudi woman seeking asylum was denied entry to Thailand and held in Bangkok's airport, a Thai official said Sunday. Rahaf Mohammed M Alqunun "ran away from her family to avoid marriage and she is concerned she may be in trouble returning to Saudi Arabia", Thailand's immigration chief Surachate Hakparn told AFP, adding that Thai authorities contacted the "Saudi Arabia embassy to coordinate". Rahaf and Human Rights Watch told AFP she was stopped by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials when she arrived in Suvarnabhumi airport and her passport was forcibly taken from her.