{UAH} Saudi teen Rahaf on her way to Canada

Saudi teen Rahaf on her way to Canada

Saudi woman Rahaf Alqunun (R) has left Thailand for Canada, a Thai immigration official says. (AAP)

Saudi teen Rahaf Alqunun, who allegedly fled abuse by her family, is flying to Canada, with PM Justin Trudeau confirming she has been granted asylum.

UpdatedUpdated 8 mins ago

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An 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled alleged abuse by her family is on her way to a new life in Canada after she was granted asylum.

Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun boarded a Korean Air flight from Bangkok to Seoul late on Friday night before catching a connecting flight to Canada, Thailand's immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn says.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the news.

"That is something that we are pleased to do because Canada is a country that understands how important it is to stand up for human rights and to stand up for woman's rights around the world and I can confirm that we have accepted the UN's request," Mr Trudeau said.

Australia had been one of the countries weighing offering Ms Alqunun asylum.

"She chose Canada. It's her personal decision," General Surachate told The Associated Press.

Canada's ambassador saw Ms Alqunun off at the airport, General Surachate said, adding she looked happy and healthy.

Earlier, there had been conflicting reports on where she would go.

Ms Alqunun had told the Daily Mail Australia on Friday she was happy to "start a new life" in Australia and that she had been provided with an apartment for three months although she didn't know where it would be.

Australian government sources denied the Daily Mail report.

The Australian newspaper, however, reported she was likely to go to Canada after the United Nations High Commission for Refugees withdrew its referral to Australia to take Ms Alqunun as a refugee.

Ms Alqunun garnered worldwide attention after she barricaded herself in an airport hotel room in Bangkok and began tweeting that her life was in danger if she were forced to return to Saudi Arabia.

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