The first tourists have finally begun to leave Thailand, six days after protesters forced the closure of Bangkok's two airports, stranding thousands of holidaymakers

But while planes are starting to leave the tiny U-Tapao naval airbase south of Bangkok, it is taking passengers up to eight hours just to get through check-in and onto their planes.

U-Tapao airbase has been pressed into service as a substitute airport, in an attempt to fly out at least some of the estimated 100,000 tourists now stranded in Thailand after members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) forced the closure of Bangkok's two main airports.

But it is a far from ideal exit point for the thousands of Britons waiting to depart Thailand.

Sitting in the heat and chaos of the small terminal, a furious Julian Lewis he swore he would never again contribute "a single penny" to the Thai economy.

"I won't even buy Thai bak choy at Tescos any more," he said. "And I will never again set foot on Thai soil."

The British property manager and surveyor was caught up in the mayhem spreading from the invasion of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport by anti-government protestors last Tuesday.

His Thai Airlines flight left Heathrow for Australia on Tuesday, and was diverted to Bangkok's second airport, Don Muang, which was also subsequently taken over by protestors from the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Mr Lewis was meant to spend less than two hours in transit in Thailand. He has now been here for five days.

Other hot, thirsty and frustrated holiday makers have queued for hours, only to be told they will not be permitted into the terminal.

A number of furious Russian travellers shoulder-charged the glass doors into the tiny departure lounge, sending officials flying. An hysterical Pakistani businessman harangued airport staff at the top of his voice, and a group of Indians mobbed the information desk.

The military airbase has one small canteen, only accessible from inside the terminal, but the Red Cross had set up a table offering free water to the travellers waiting in the heat outside.

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