An 18-year-old could spend years in a Thai prison after he was accused of stealing a watch worth less than $100 that another passenger accidentally left behind in an airport security tray.
Loukas Rainger, from New Zealand, was preparing to fly home after spending a month traveling around Thailand with a friend when immigration officers stopped him at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
But instead of boarding his flight, the teenager was arrested over an allegation linked to his travels through Surat Thani Airport on July 3.
Forgot her watch
According to authorities, another passenger had left behind her silver Swatch watch after taking if off and placing it an inspection tray while passing through security. Investigators allege Rainger picked up the forgotten watch along with his own belongings before leaving the checkpoint.
After the woman reported the watch missing, investigators reviewed the airport footage and obtained an arrest warrant for the young Kiwi, who didn’t learn he was under investigation until he arrived at Bangkok’s airport to fly home.
Although the watch is reportedly worth between $80 and $100, the charge carries much steeper consequences because of where the alleged crime took place.
“It is more serious than theft because it happened at an airport,” Rainger’s lawyer, Werabhat Hemthansarp, said, adding that if convicted, the teenager could face up to five years in prison, a fine of about $300 and additional legal costs.
Faces ‘five years in prison’
After his arrest, Rainger spent the night in a Bangkok police cell before being transferred about 650 kilometers to Surat Thani, where he was questioned before being taken to prison.
“The next day he spent 12 hours handcuffed to a chair while being taken on a train from Bangkok back down to Surat Thani, where he was taken to a police station and only then interviewed,” his mother, Natasha Rainger, told Stuff.co.nz. “We are still being told that he could face five years in prison.”
“This is just still too hard to digest for the moment,” she said, adding that her son insisted he “knew nothing about it” and was “completely confused.”
‘He didn’t maliciously steal it’
For his mother, the days that followed became a desperate effort to bring her son home.
“I’m honestly at the point where I would give my life to get him out of there,” she told Stuff. “He didn’t maliciously steal it or intend to steal someone’s belongings, he didn’t think, he’s inexperienced, young. 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.”
Natasha explained the ordeal has left the family “overwhelmed.”
“I haven’t rested or slept since this happened…I’m exhausted, I’m on auto-mode,” said Natasha. “He’s scared. He’s 18, he’s got no criminal record. Fresh out of school, going on his [overseas experience] before he takes life seriously for his electrician apprenticeship.”
According to Stuff, the woman who forgot her watch in the tray has received a written apology from Rainger, along with the lost watch.
“I have been told the watch was around $80 -$100 on Ebay, and the watch has been returned to her, and she has also received an apology from Loukas in prison. I have been told that she accepts the apology and will accept $1000 in compensation,” the mother shared.
Despite the apology and compensation, Rainger remained in custody as his family continued trying to secure bail.
‘Been like torture’
After reportedly spending time in solitary confinement, losing nearly 22 pounds and shaving his head, the teenager was released on bail after his family paid about $3,000, bringing an emotional reunion with his mother.
“It’s been like torture,” Natasha said. “I have never ever in my life been so happy to just see my son, I can’t stop looking at him.”
“I started to feel really low and wonder if I’m ever going to see my son again. Finally, he just walked into my arms…I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” she added.
As part of his bail conditions, Natasha had to secure three months of accommodation in Thailand, where the pair must remain while the case moves forward.
Until the legal proceedings are resolved, Rainger and his mother must remain on the island of Ko Samui and report to the local police station every two weeks.
Do you think picking up an item someone else accidentally left behind at airport security should carry such serious criminal charges? Please let us know what you think and then share this story so we can hear from others!
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