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.
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.
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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.
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First OE turns into Thai prison ordeal for 18-year-old Kiwi
The Tauranga 18-year-oldβs 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.
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βI canβt stop looking at himβ: 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.