A young Saudi woman detained in Bangkok airport on Monday after a coordinated effort by Thai and Saudi authorities to deport her has won a temporary reprieve under UN protection after barricading herself in a hotel room and fighting back on social media.

The extraordinary drama, much of which was relayed across the world via Twitter and livestreamed videos, began when Rahaf al-Qunun, 18, was stopped by Thai immigration authorities and her passport confiscated on Sunday while she was transiting for Australia to seek asylum.

Ms al-Qunun alleged that her family had subjected her to physical and psychological abuse and said she feared she would be killed if she was sent home as her cousin had already threatened to “slaughter” her.

On Monday morning the Thai and Saudi authorities appeared to collaborate in their claims that the teenager had attempted to enter Thailand without the correct papers and denied that her passport had been seized.

"She ran away from her family to avoid marriage and she is concerned she may be in trouble returning to Saudi Arabia," said Surachate Hakparn, Thailand’s immigration chief.