A New Zealand teenager accused of theft in Thailand has been released on bail and reunited with his mother after spending nearly a week behind bars.
Loukas Rainger, 18, was close to finishing his first trip overseas when immigration officers prevented him from boarding a flight home at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport last week, citing an outstanding arrest warrant.
Thai authorities claim Rainger took a woman’s Swatch watch, valued at about $100, from a security tray while going through screening at Surat Thani Airport on July 3, roughly two weeks before his arrest.
After spending a night in a Bangkok police cell, he was moved by train to a prison in Surat Thani, about 650km away.
Rainger remained in custody for six days before being granted bail early Wednesday for 100,000 baht (A$4,228.74).
By the time he was freed, his mother Natasha said he had lost 10kg and had his hair shaved off while held in solitary confinement, leaving him almost unrecognisable when they were finally reunited.
‘I have never ever in my life been so happy to just see my son, I can’t stop looking at him,’ she told Stuff.
‘He just walked into my arms and his first words were – oh mum, mum what are you doing here?’
Loukas Rainger (right) has been freed on bail and reunited with his mother Natasha
Rainger spent six days in custody, accused of stealing a watch at an airport in Thailand
‘I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry – it was like nothing of the last days ever happened.’
Her son still has a challenging few months ahead of him.
As part of his bail conditions, Rainger must remain in Thailand and report to police once a fortnight.
A court hearing date has been scheduled for September.
Rainger still faces up to five years behind bars, despite his mother claiming that the alleged victim has agreed for the charges to be dropped.
The woman has already received a written apology from Rainger, $1,000 compensation and has had the watch returned.
A fundraiser has been set up to assist with flights, accommodation, and living costs.
Ms Rainger will remain in Thailand with her son, where they will soon be reunited with her husband and younger son, who currently remain back home in New Zealand.
The Kiwi teen spent a month holidaying in Thailand with his best mate before immigration officials stopped him from boarding a flight home
Loukas had been documenting his Thailand travels on Instagram
Natasha will stay in Thailand to support her son, where they will soon be reunited with the rest of the family
‘After being in remand for six days in Surat Thani prison, he now needs to wait in that province for some months for court proceedings and an outcome,’ the fundraiser states.
‘If you can help in even a small way it will go a long way to ensuring the Rainger family feel supported during this time, and that Loukas can get the best possible help during this ordeal.’
Ms Rainger is hopeful that ‘common sense will prevail’.
She previously claimed that her son did not intend to steal when he allegedly picked up the watch that was with his belongings on the airport tray.
‘He didn’t maliciously steal it or intend to steal someone’s belongings, he didn’t think, he’s inexperienced, young,’ she said.
‘He’d been on a long boat trip just right before, and had been really sick. He should have left it or handed it in but that doesn’t deserve years in a Thai prison.
Having recently finished school, Rainger had spent the previous month travelling around Thailand with his best friend before his plans to return home and start an electrician apprenticeship were abruptly cut short.
He had been documenting his travels on Instagram, with his most recent post shared on the day of his arrest.
