Hartlepool women 'ecstatic' after holiday firm makes plans to fly them home from Thailand

Joan Holland, 62, Kathleen Bell, 72, Joan Balderson, 78, Ellen Ashley, 70 and Patsy Short, 70, jetted from Newcastle on Tuesday, March 17, as they took a holiday to mark Patsy’s birthday.

But a day after they arrived in Pattaya City, which is almost two hours drive away from Bangkok, businesses began to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They say they have struggled to get advice and information from Hays Travel, after booking the through its York Road branch, and failed to get answers from their insurance company, with conflicting guidance from the British Embassy in London.

Now – after a flight they had been booked on earlier was cancelled – the pals have been told they will be able to board a plane to London on Friday, April 3, just two days after they were originally due to depart the country.

The woman have been left fearful for their health, as they have been told the virus is causing large numbers to fall ill in the capital, with only limited amounts of medication and cash with them.

Today, Joan Holland told of their relief after Hays made new plans to bring them home, with thanks sent to the Mail for raising their plight.

She said: “After a very long phone conversation with Hays Travel, we have been told we have flights to London on April 3, we just have to move hotel for a couple of days.

“We are ecstatic that we are coming home.

“We don't know how we getting home from London, but that's the least of our problems.

“It’s been a horrible experience and not one we would like to go through again.

“We would all like to thank you for your help and looking forward to getting home – even though we have to stay in.”

A spokesperson for Hays Travel said: “We are really pleased to have been able to secure flights back to the UK for Joan and her friends, we know what a worrying situation this must have been for them.”