Young tourist who faces years in Thailand jail for '$100 crime' at airport is reunited with mother

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:41, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 03:58, 22 July 2026 A New Zealand teen accused of stealing in Thailand has been reunited with his mother after being released on bail following almost a week in custody. Loukas Rainger, 18, was nearing the end of his first overseas holiday when immigration officials stopped him from boarding a flight home at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport last week due to a warrant for his arrest. Thai authorities allege Rainger stole a woman's Swatch watch, worth about $100, from a security tray while passing through airport screening at Surat Thani Airport on July 3, a fortnight earlier.  He spent the night in a Bangkok police cell before being transferred by train to a prison in Surat Thani, 650km away. Rainger spent six days in custody before he was released on bail for 100,000 baht (A$4,228.74) early Wednesday. Having lost 10kg and had his hair shaved off while in solitary confinement, Rainger was almost unrecognisable when reunited with his relieved mother Natasha. '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. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.