The teenager\u2019s father, Mark Rainger, had since arrived in Thailand and would accompany his \u201canxious and traumatised\u201d son to court.<\/p>\n
Pronk said the family hoped Thai authorities would accept that Rainger\u2019s actions were neither planned nor malicious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope they see his error was not planned or malicious. That his financial compensation and apology is enough,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
A Tauranga teenager accused of stealing a watch from a Thai airport has described the \u201cnightmare\u201d conditions he endured during six days in prison as he awaits trial. Photo \/ Natasha Rainger<\/p>\n
Rainger acknowledged he picked up the watch<\/a> from the security tray at Surat Thani Airport but denies intending to steal it.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s court appearance is the latest stage in an ordeal that has turned his overseas holiday into a prolonged stay in Thailand involving arrest, imprisonment and strict bail conditions.<\/p>\n The incident occurred in early July when Rainger and a school friend were passing through security at Surat Thani Airport.<\/p>\n Rainger picked up a watch that had been left in a security tray and continued his holiday, unaware that an arrest warrant had been issued.<\/p>\n Two weeks later, immigration officials stopped him at Bangkok\u2019s Suvarnabhumi Airport as he attempted to board a flight home to New Zealand.<\/p>\n Rainger told Stuff he was handcuffed and taken on a 10-hour train journey back to Surat Thani to face the allegation.<\/p>\n He was charged with an offence described as \u201ctheft at an airport\u201d, carrying a maximum penalty of five years\u2019 imprisonment<\/a> if convicted.<\/p>\n Rainger spent six days in Surat Thani Prison before being released on bail of 100,000 Thai baht, about $5000.<\/p>\n Speaking to Stuff, he described his time in prison as a \u201cnightmare\u201d.<\/p>\n Rainger told the outlet he was held with about 20 other men, including gang members and other serious offenders. He had his head shaved, washed from a bucket in front of other prisoners and slept on a hard floor with a single blanket.<\/p>\n He said the heat and a lack of appetite contributed to him losing about 10kg during his six<\/a> days in custody.<\/p>\n Since being granted bail, Rainger has been required to remain in Thailand, live near the prison and report to authorities every two weeks while the case proceeds.<\/p>\nLoukas Rainger is in Surat Thani prison. Photo \/ Givealittle<\/p>\n