Dad released from Thai jail after bid to ‘rescue’ son
A FATHER held in a Thai jail for 43 days after trying to rescue his ‘kidnapped’ son has been freed, it was reported yesterday.
Jodie Smith, 41, was arrested at Bangkok Airport as he waited for his flight with son Joleon.
The Edinburgh father claims his estranged Thai-born wife, Jintra Jummaimuang Smith, 31, took their ten-year-old to her home country in November against his wishes.
Carer Mr Smith flew over in February to trace his son, who he says begged to be brought home to Scotland.
But before the pair could board their flight, Mr Smith was arrested.
It is understood that Thai authorities alleged he trespassed at Mrs Smith’s property – in the north-eastern Sakon Nakhon province – in order to retrieve Joleon’s British passport.
He also faced charges of abduction.
But according to The Scottish Sun on Sunday, Mr Smith has been freed and is preparing to fly home after Mrs Smith settled the custody battle and secured his release.
His mother Lidia Smith, 67, told the paper: ‘In the past 48 hours, Jodie and Jintra have been talking through what happened – and they have agreed that although they are separated, it is important that their son has both of them in his life.
‘Jodie’s lost 43 days of his life in prison since February 22, but at least he’s now safe.
On receiving the news her son will be set free, she said: ‘The call came out of the blue after more than a month of silence and suddenly my son was talking to me.
‘He told me he had been freed from prison and he was with Joleon.
‘His first words were “Mum, I’m out. They’ve let me go”. Initially I felt disbelief, then I was overwhelmed with relief and then I cried.
‘I won’t be able to rest until he and Joleon are safely back home, which will be a few days. I want to put my arms around my grandson and see his face.
‘I tried to speak to him on the phone but he was totally overwhelmed and so emotional he couldn’t even say “hello”. I said, “Hello Joleon, where have you been? I’ve missed you so much”. I just want him back where he belongs.
‘I’ve been to hell and back and my priority lies with Joleon. Thank God it’s almost over.’
Mr Smith met his wife-to-be while travelling in 2006.
She became pregnant after they had been together for four months and they flew to the UK ahead of their son’s birth, meaning Joleon is a British national with a UK passport.
The couple then tried to marry in Thailand but the wedding was put on hold and they later wed in the UK.
It is understood that the relationship broke down when their son was two and although
‘Jodie’s lost 43 days of his life’ ‘Thank God it’s almost over’
they split, the parents shared custody.
Mrs Smith told the newspaper that her son revealed his former partner had helped to get him out of prison and she ‘never wanted Jodie to be put in jail in the first place’.
She said her son had described the experience of being in the Thai jail as ‘very difficult’.
Mr Smith’s 29-year-old fiancée Vikki Farquharson was reported as saying: ‘I can’t put into words how I feel.
‘This was a complete nightmare and I feared it was never going to end.’