Couple return from Thai trip nightmare
Martin and Ruth Pratt, from St Columb Minor, jetted off to Thailand on November 13, just days before political violence exploded on the streets of Bangkok.
But their holiday was extended by over a week after Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport was shut down by protesters.
Mr Pratt said they and dozens of other British tourists were told little of what might happen. "We were told nothing; that was the greatest fear – we had no idea what might happen next," he said.
"We had been told that it may descend into civil war – we thought we might even be here for Christmas."
The couple flew out from Heathrow direct to Bangkok, where they spent three days touring the capital.
They then took a one-hour flight to Karon Beach in Phuket – which was devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami – where they spent the rest of their trip.
The couple said they enjoyed their holiday up until November 25, when they heard through local media of the troubles erupting on the streets of Bangkok.
"We didn't know if it would reach Phuket. We couldn't get any information out of the British embassy," said Mr Pratt. "It was forgotten about because of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which completely overshadowed what was happening here."
Mrs Pratt said it was then that the holiday came to an end.
"We decided to stay put in the hotel and not try to get to Bangkok, as that's where all the troubles were.
"It didn't become a holiday after that – it was just stress and worry, constantly thinking about can we get this flight or that flight home."
The couple's troubles were heightened as nearly all flights from Phuket were routed through Bangkok. A military air base outside Bangkok had begun sending some foreign tourists home but nearly 100,000 people were attempting to get through the system.
The couple was forced to foot the bill for their accommodation and feared their money would run out. Travel insurers refused to pay out as the disturbances were classed as civil unrest.
Eventually the couple received some good news when Dellen Carroll, branch manager at travel agent Wickers World Travel in Newquay, was able to secure a flight direct from Phuket to Heathrow, which touched down on December 3.
Through Dellen, Wickers World had attempted to book several flights back to Heathrow, all of which had been cancelled.
Mr Pratt said: "She (Dellen) absolutely worked her socks off, constantly on the phone and working so hard to get us home. We are so grateful to her."
Brian Wick, from Wickers World Travel, added: "I believe this shows the importance of booking such trips with a fully ABTA bonded local travel agent, as I am not sure that the clients would have had the same superb support that Dellen gave, had they booked direct on the internet."
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