The father of a young Saudi woman being assessed for refugee status in Thailand after being detained en route to Australia has landed in Bangkok and wants to meet with her.
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United Nations officials say it will take about five days to process Rahaf Mohammed Mutlaq Alqunun's request for assistance after she said she feared her family would kill her if she were sent home.
The 18-year-old claims she was abducted and had her passport confiscated by Saudi Arabian diplomatic staff after fleeing Kuwait and arriving at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday.
Her father and brother landed in the capital on Tuesday evening and immediately asked to see Ms Alqunun.
However Thai immigration chief Surachate Hakpan said the men would have to wait to learn whether the UN's refugee agency would allow them to.
"The father and brother want to go and talk to Rahaf but the UN will need to approve such talk," Surachate told reporters.
Ms Alqunun told AAP her visa to travel to Australia had been cancelled and she understood authorities were trying to get her a new one.
Photos released on Monday night by immigration police showed the teenager with Thai and UN officials after she left the airport transit hotel room where she had been holed up over the weekend.
She later tweeted she felt safe under UN protection and her passport had been returned.
"It could take several days to process the case and determine next steps," UNHCR's Thailand representative Giuseppe de Vincentiis said in a statement.
"We are very grateful that the Thai authorities did not send back (Ms Alqunun) against her will and are extending protection to her."
The Australian embassy had contacted the Thai government and the UNHCR's Bangkok office to confirm Ms Alqunun could access the refugee process.
"The claims made by Ms Alqunun that she may be harmed if returned to Saudi Arabia are deeply concerning," a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said.
Immigration Minister David Coleman was contacted for comment.
While not elaborating on the information he had received from the federal government, Labor's immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said they were providing "sufficient" support.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on the government to show some "moral leadership" and allow Ms Alqunun to settle in Australia.
After being detained, the teenager renounced Islam and appealed for help from Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain and other European nations.
Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson said the arrival in Thailand of Ms Alqunun's father was a source of concern.
"We have no idea what he is going to do ... whether he will try to find out where she is and go harass her," he said.
Saudi authorities have denied requesting Ms Alqunun's extradition and say the issue is a family matter.
with agencies
Australian Associated Press
