Northwestern College students caught in Thailand strife

Half of the 21-member travel group from the Roseville college got out on Monday; others hope to depart today.

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: December 1, 2008 - 9:44 PM

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

Browse 2008 math and reading test results and performance penalties for all Minnesota public and charter schools.

A student group from a Twin Cities college that has been stuck in Thailand because anti-government demonstrators seized two airports in that nation's capital was making its way out of the country Monday night.

The 18 students and three teachers are from Northwestern College, a Christian school in Roseville. They were scheduled to leave Bangkok for Japan on Friday, but their travels hit a brick wall because of the protests.

The school said Monday that about half of the group used a Thai military airport two hours south of Bangkok and were en route to Tokyo, via Kuala Lumpur, late Monday.

The reminder of the group is preparing to depart today. This first group includes Northwestern College staff member Melody Walburg, who is six months pregnant with twins, the school said.

"Dr. John Easterling, the leader of the Northwestern group, sent an e-mail this morning assuring that all members of the team are safe and have continued their ministry of teaching English during their stay," the school said in a news release. "They have at no time felt unsafe or at risk, and are planning to successfully complete their travels."

Steve Lagoon, of Woodbury, said his daughter Hannah, 19, is one of the students on the trip - her first overseas trip -- and she was among the first half of the group that has now left Thailand.

"We have been glued to the Internet, searching all the news sources," he said. "What else can you do? We pray."

The group left Minneapolis in mid-October.

Its itinerary has taken group members to France, Israel and Thailand. From Japan, the students and teachers are scheduled to stop in Hawaii and return to the Twin Cities on Dec. 17.

"As long as there is no traumatic experience, I think the trip will continue on," Steve Lagoon said. He said Hannah's "dream has been to go to Japan. ... She has studied the language and the culture."

The protesters, who are trying to force the prime minister's resignation, have stranded 300,000 travelers with the weeklong takeover of the two airports. All commercial flights have been suspended in and out of Bangkok at the height of the tourist season.

Because of the unrest, Northwest Airlines is allowing passengers on its Bangkok flights to reschedule without penalty or other related fees. For more information, go to www.nwa.com and click on the link in the upper right corner under "Travel Promotions & News."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

Recent Local + Metro stories

Man charged in UI vandalism pleads not guilty - December 1, 2008

Man charged in UI vandalism pleads not guilty - A Minnesota activist arrested in the 2004 animal rights vandalism at the University of Iowa has pleaded not guilty in federal court. More