New Zealand Teen Released on Bail in Thai Airport Theft Case

A New Zealand teenager accused of stealing a watch at a Thai airport has been released on bail and reunited with his mother after spending days in custody, according to New Zealand media outlet Stuff.

Loukas Rainger, 18, was granted bail of 100,000 baht (about NZ$5,070) after being arrested over allegations that he took a woman's Swatch watch during a security screening at Surat Thani Airport on July 3.

According to his mother, Natasha Rainger, the watch was left in a security tray alongside his belongings. She said Loukas told her he picked it up and put it in his pocket, but later realized he should have handed it to airport staff.

"He's inexperienced, young," Natasha told Stuff, adding that her son had been sick after a long boat trip before the incident and made a mistake.

Loukas was stopped by immigration officers at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 16 while preparing to fly home after a month-long trip in Thailand. Authorities told him there was an arrest warrant related to the alleged theft.

Thai legal documents seen by Stuff stated that Loukas denied all charges during questioning. The alleged offence, classified as theft at an airport, carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.

After his release, Loukas was reunited with his mother, who said he had spent time in solitary confinement, lost about 10kg and had his head shaved while in custody.

The family remains in Thailand as Loukas awaits a court hearing scheduled for September. He is required to report to authorities every two weeks and cannot leave the country during the legal process.

Natasha said the woman who filed the complaint had since wanted to drop the charges, but the case has continued through the legal system.