Family Stranded in Thailand by Conflict Returns to Bologna After Flight Chaos
Bologna, March 23, 2026 – After weeks of uncertainty and travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Alessandro Davitti, his wife Watthalo Suchada, and their fifteen-year-old daughter Sriruchira have finally returned home to Crevalcore, near Bologna. The family had been stranded in Thailand while attempting to finalize the international adoption of their daughter.
The Davitti family’s original flight, scheduled for March 20th, was disrupted due to airspace closures and cancellations stemming from the conflict. Their planned route – Bangkok to Istanbul, then Istanbul to Bologna – became impossible as the Istanbul transit point was affected.1
Challenges and Delays
Alessandro Davitti recounted the difficulties they faced, including a rescheduled departure date of March 22nd and the need to secure accommodation near Bangkok airport at their own expense. Airlines, he discovered, do not typically cover overnight stays in such situations.1 After 20 hours of travel with two layovers, the family finally arrived in Bologna.
Seeking Assistance and Passenger Rights
The family sought assistance from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Farnesina) and the Italian embassy in Thailand, but faced delays in receiving a confirmed repatriation flight.2 Davitti questioned the protections afforded to passengers stranded outside of Europe, noting that their travel insurance claim was denied due to a “war” clause.1
Broader Travel Disruptions
The Davitti family’s experience is one of many. The conflict in the Middle East has led to widespread flight cancellations and soaring prices, leaving numerous travelers stranded abroad.3 Other families have reported similar difficulties securing affordable flights home from destinations like the Maldives and India.3