Young man jailed after alleged airport theft in Thailand - as mother begs for his freedom and shares his side of the story

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 01:44, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 01:58, 21 July 2026 A teenager's first overseas holiday has ended in disaster after he was arrested in Thailand, accused of stealing a watch during an airport security screening. Loukas Rainger, 18, has been in custody for four days after immigration officials stopped him from boarding a flight home at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport because there was a warrant for his arrest. Thai authorities allege Rainger, from New Zealand, stole a woman's Swatch watch from a security tray while passing through airport screening at Surat Thani Airport on July 3. He spent the night in a Bangkok police cell before being transferred by train to a prison in Surat Thani, 650km away, his mother, Natasha Rainger told Stuff.co.nz. '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,' she said. As the alleged theft occurred at an airport, Rainger faces up to five years behind bars and a fine of up to 10,000 baht (A$424.91), along with additional legal costs. 'I'm honestly at the point where I would give my life to get him out of there,' Ms Rainger said. 'That watch... he told me it was on the airport tray with his belongings... so he just picked it up too. Loukas Rainger, 18, (pictured with his mother Natasha), remains in custody in Thai prison The New Zealand teen was on his first overseas holiday, which ended in his arrest '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.' Ms Rainger has also contacted the NZ embassy in Bangkok for consular assistance and sought legal advice back home.  Lawyer Werabhat Hemthansarp is hopeful of obtaining bail for Rainger on Tuesday. The alleged victim has already received a written apology from the teenager and will receive $1,000 in compensation. The watch, which sells for $80 to $100 on eBay, has also been returned to the woman. 'It is more serious than theft because it happened at an airport,' Hemthansarp said. 'We are hoping the judge will allow him to be bailed once the application is processed, which can take 24 hours, and the compensation paid to the victim, then it will be easier.' Loukas Rainger is accused of stealing a women's watch that he picked up from a tray containing his belongings during airport security screening in Surat Than on July 3 He was preparing to board a flight home at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday when he was detained by immigration officials Having recently finished school, Rainger had spent the previous month travelling around Thailand with a 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 being shared on the day of his arrest. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.