Family of teenager facing years in Thailand prison for ‘$100 airport crime’ issues update

A teenage lad who was apprehended at a Thai airport after allegedly swiping a mislaid watch has been reunited with his mother.

Natasha Rainger has told how her 18-year-old son Loukas looks almost unrecognisable after spending nearly a week locked up in the wake of his arrest on 16 July.

He is facing the prospect of spending up to five years behind bars in Thailand after being accused of picking up a female passenger's watch from a security tray.

Loukas was leaving the Southeast Asian country last week after a month of travelling with his best mate, before he was confronted by immigration officials at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

It was alleged that while travelling through Surat Thani Airport a fortnight prior, the New Zealand-native had spotted a Swatch worth roughly $100 (£75), which he is said to have pocketed.

Loukas' mum said waiting to be reunited with him has been 'like torture' (Instagram)

"He didn’t maliciously steal it or intend to steal someone’s belongings, he didn’t think, he’s inexperienced, young," his mum Natasha previously told news outlet Stuff.

"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."

Loukas was left 'completely confused' by the allegations, his family said, while legal documents state that he 'denied all charges' during interrogations.

He has claimed that the watch was in the tray alongside his belongings, 'so he just picked it up too'. The teen has spent the last six days behind bars as his lawyer worked to secure his bail.

Loukas - who is facing a charge of 'theft in an airport', which is considered more serious than simple theft - was initially denied bail due to 'not having the right visa', Natasha said.

Mother and son reunite

Natasha has flown to Thailand to support her son (GiveALittle)

He was also forced to submit proof of a three-month accommodation booking in Thailand to the court.

But Natasha has now confirmed that she was reunited with her son early on Wednesday (22 July) after stumping up 100,000 baht (£2,210) to secure his bail.

After spending almost a week in jail, Loukas is said to have lost 10kg and has had his hair shaved off.

Speaking to Stuff, his mum said: "I have never ever in my life been so happy to just see my son, I can't stop looking at him.

"He just walked into my arms and his first words were, 'Oh mum, mum, what are you doing here?' I didn't know whether to laugh or cry - it was like nothing of the last days ever happened."

The mum said being unable to see Loukas had been 'like torture'.

'Pray for his safe return'

The teenager has been behind bars for almost a week in wake of his airport arrest (Instagram)

The teenager's aunt, Melissa Pronk, has launched an online fundraiser on GiveALittle to help the family afford the costs of staying in Thailand.

He has to remain there until the legal process has run its course, while he is also required to check in with the local police station every two weeks, Natasha said.

In an update shared to the fundraising page, Melissa said: "Loukas has been granted bail on the 21st July and has been reunited with his mother Tash. After being in remand for 6 days in remand in Surat Thani prison, he now needs to wait in that province for some months for court proceedings and an outcome.

"This page has been set up to help the Rainger family with flight costs, accommodation, and living costs while they are in Thailand supporting him, and hopefully bringing him home soon. I pray for his safe return."

Natasha - who said she hasn't 'rested or slept since this happened' and was operating 'on auto-mode' - explained that she flew to the country to aid her son, while her husband and 12-year-old remain in New Zealand.