The Metford couple arrived in Bangkok on August 30, expecting to catch an immediate connecting flight to Phuket.

But riots had closed the airport at the popular tourist destination.

After finally making it to Phuket following twice-daily trips to Bangkok airport and spending an idyllic, albeit “uncomfortable” week against the background of political upheaval, the Spinks and their friend Lorraine Sternbeck plan to catch a sleeper train to Chiang Mai, in the north, today.

“We’re nice and relaxed here in Phuket, but apprehensive about what will happen next,” Mrs Spinks told the Mercury from Thailand.

“The plan was to stay there (in Chiang Mai) for a while, then go back to Bangkok for a few days and come home.

“But we don’t know at the moment.”

The situation stemmed from a campaign by the People’s Alliance for Democracy – a loose knit group of royalists, wealthy and middle class urban residents and union activists – to oust Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government, accusing it of corruption and violating the constitution.

Protestors have occupied the grounds of Thailand’s Government House since August 26 and say they will not leave until they have Samak’s resignation.

A state of emergency was declared on Tuesday.

Unknowingly, the Spinks were on the last plane that landed in Bangkok and on the first flight to Phuket after the airport was re-opened.

Mrs Spinks said it was an “uncomfortable” situation, but they did not consider themselves to be in danger because the Thai economy relied on western tourists.

But she said it was a confusing time for the Australian passengers who landed in Bangkok for a peaceful holiday.

“We were lucky, because Stan knew his way around,” she said.

“But there were some people who’d never been out of the country and they were just standing there, they didn’t know what to do.”