Monday, 1st December 2008 - 17:34CET

Trapped Maltese returning from Thailand

The protests in Thailand.

Eight of nine Maltese who were stranded in Thailand following the occupation of the airport in Bangkok during anti-government protests are now on their way back to Malta.

The Foreign Ministry said it had helped make alternative arrangements after having been contacted by travel agents.

Two of the travellers are expected back tomorrow and another six will arrive later this week. Arrangements are continuing for another Maltese.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said the foreign ministry had done all it could to ensure that the Maltese were safe and could return as soon as possible. He thanked the consul for Malta in Thailand, Niphan Benjavilas, and workers at the ministry’s Protocol Section, for their efforts.

The Maltese had been on holiday when the protests developed. Some are flying back from Kuala Lumpur and others from Phukett.