New Zealand

Tauranga teen jailed in Thailand after airport watch incident

An 18-year-old New Zealander has described a harrowing detention in a Thai prison after picking up a watch at an airport, and has now been reunited with his mother.

Skinny McBuntu

Loukas Rainger, an 18-year-old from Tauranga, was held in a Thai prison after picking up a watch he believed had been left with his belongings at an airport. He was denied bail, placed in solitary confinement, had his head shaved and lost 10kg during the ordeal, according to his mother. He was later reunited with his mother.

Covered byStuffNot covered byRNZNZ Herald1NewsNewstalk ZBOtago Daily TimesNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz

Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

What outlets are saying

Stuff

Locked in a Thai jail, 20 to a cell, no bed, one bucket: Kiwi teen speaks of his ordeal

Loukas Rainger had his head shaved and was locked in a cell with gang members and murderers after picking up a watch at an airport.

Read the full story at Stuff

Stuff

First OE turns into Thai prison ordeal for 18-year-old Kiwi

The Tauranga 18-year-old’s mother says he has been denied bail and is being held in prison after picking up a watch he believed had been left with his belongings.

Read the full story at Stuff

Stuff

β€˜I can’t stop looking at him’: Teen Kiwi held in Thai prison reunited with mum

Loukas had been in solitary confinement, lost 10kg, and was forced to shave his head, his mother said.

Read the full story at Stuff