Two sisters stranded in Thailand

Two sisters stranded in Thailand since the siege by anti-government protesters at Bangkok's main airports have spoken about their wait for news.

Sylvia and Jenni Drever-Heaps, from Reading, Berkshire, flew into Bangkok on the morning the siege began.

They had been in the country for two weeks when the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) began its blockade.

Sylvia, who works at Reading Crown Court, described the situation as "very stressful".

'Emotional strain'

"[It has been] stressful and tearful - we have been on Facebook every night with our mum, chatting," she said.

"She has been ringing everyday - everyone's concerned.

"We are in a safe area but emotionally, it has been a strain.

"We never felt we were in any danger, the Thai people are lovely.

"[But] You just want to come home and see your friends and family."

The PAD called off the eight-day siege after a court banned Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics.

The group had been demanding the resignation of the prime minister, who they say is a proxy for deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

The airport closures have left more than 300,000 tourists stranded in Thailand and cost the economy huge amounts in lost revenues.

International flights are due to resume on Thursday.