Thai authorities will not deport Saudi teen who claims she is in danger

14 Sept 02:07 Key points summarised by AI

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, an 18-year-old Saudi woman, fled her family and sought asylum, claiming she faced threats of death and abuse for defying strict social rules.
Upon arriving in Bangkok, Thai authorities initially planned to deport her, prompting Rahaf to barricade herself in an airport hotel and appeal for international intervention via social media.
Following global attention and discussions with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), Thai officials reversed their decision, ensuring Rahaf would not be expelled to any country where she might be in danger.
Rahaf is now under the care of UNHCR in Bangkok, where her request for refugee status will be processed, bringing renewed scrutiny to Saudi Arabia's strict guardianship laws for women.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.