The couple arrived in Bangkok on November 24 and were due to return to Melbourne last Friday, in time for Mrs Hayes’s birthday, after spending the best part of six weeks travelling around Europe.

But they now expect to return to Sydney late tonight on a Thai Airways flight from a military airport outside of Bangkok.

“We’re keen to return home, we’ve been away long enough,” Mrs Hayes said.

“We were just having a few days in Bangkok, but then it all happened on the Tuesday after we arrived.

“We have had a wonderful holiday, and now we’re just extending it for a few more days.

“But the longer we stay here the heavier our bags are getting.”

She said the majority of Australians were remaining upbeat but the situation was affecting some more than others.

“Some have no luggage or have run out of money, we’re just making the most of the situation really,” Mrs Hayes said.

A group of Border Christian College students who have been stranded are expected to return from Thailand to Sydney tomorrow afternoon.