'I'm a tourist, get me out of here'

Darryl Ferguson believes the UK government has not done enough

Thousands of travellers have been stranded in Thailand after anti-government protesters took over two airports. Tube driver Darryl Ferguson, 53, of Hounslow, west London, is among those affected.

It's incredibly frustrating being stuck here. I can't wait to get away.

All I can do is wait. I'm losing money and annual leave. Plus there's the uncertainty of not knowing when I'll eventually get away.

And I don't feel our government is doing enough to help Britons trapped out here.

I arrived in Thailand on Friday after touring south east Asia. I was supposed to fly to Singapore and then on to London on Saturday, but obviously the protests put paid to that.

What's most annoying is that I can't do anything.

I'm bracing myself for a long day Darryl Ferguson Bangkok Britons wait for a way out

The airline I'm travelling with, Singapore Airlines, say I need to be ready to drop everything and fly. So I can't even go off and explore this amazing country.

My travel insurance company have told me they won't cover my costs, so I'm having to pay for food, drinks and hotels myself.

Yesterday I was supposed to be back at work. I'm using up my holidays, and if I stay here much longer my employers have told me they'll have to take it off next year's annual leave.

Fortunately, Singapore Airlines say I've got a seat on a flight from U-Tapao military airbase tomorrow. I'll be glad to leave, but I'm not looking forward to the journey.

I need to be at the airport at 0900 local time for a 1400 flight. I've been told that there's hardly any room to sit, it'll be really uncomfortable and overcrowded - it sounds like a nightmare.

And then who knows whether the plane will actually take off? I'm bracing myself for a long day.

U-Tapao military airport is overcrowded with stranded holidaymakers

There isn't much to do here except go to bars and drink. My hotel is full of foreigners who are stuck in Thailand.

The Brits all seem quite annoyed at the response from our government.

Other countries are chartering flights to get their nationals out. But the Foreign and Commonwealth Office isn't doing anything.

They didn't even update their web page between Wednesday and Monday.

Still, I think I'm more fortunate than others.

People who are self-employed won't be earning any money as long as they're stranded.

I reckon I could afford to stay here for a couple of weeks. Thailand isn't a very expensive country - I think this must be costing me about £70 a day.

Hopefully it won't come to that, though. Getting home won't be much fun - but I'll be very pleased to do it.

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