Bon voyage, we hope

The political turbulence is a dramatic mess. From the business point of view, our country has lost an enormous sum of money, the chance to tackle the financial situation, and the chance to boost the economy with the tourist season just starting. However, in terms of people's sentiment, it is even worse: nobody will be able to remedy the pain of stranded travellers in Thailand and overseas, left far from their homes and unable to figure out when they will be able to get back.

Imagine those parents waiting for their kids to come home; a grandmother who wants to see her grandchildren during the last days of her life; and the ordinary people who have run out of money and their visa has expired.

So far, nobody knows how many Thai travellers have been left stranded overseas. The government seems very passive about its responsibility to look after Thai people in distress overseas.

For me, as one of more than 10,000 Thais stuck overseas since the airports were closed, it is not funny at all to have no idea of when you will be able to get back home.

After waiting so long for the airport to reopen, it seemed useless to wait further, so my friends and I decided to go to the Thai Embassy, which should have been able to give some advice or help to us Thai citizens.

The embassy didn't know how many Thai people were in Indonesia. Although the embassy said it would help every Thai in trouble, they were very slow to act.

The political mess shows that we cannot wait for luck or outside help; you have to do everything by yourself. Even now, nobody can say when the airport will open again.

The best suggestion I can give to readers is to go to airline offices as most now have flights to other airports in Thailand.

Thai citizens that need help abroad should remember: if you need help, go to the Thai embassy in that country. The embassy is supposed to help you. Here's wishing that everybody, Thai and foreigners, will be home soon.