Mum’s Thai ordeal ends

SHIRE of Yarra Ranges councillors last week rallied behind embattle Montrose mother-of-four, Annice Smoel, 36, as she faced a Thai court.
She was detained following an incident over the theft of an $80 bar mat from the Aussie Bar in Phuket.
At a Federal Government community cabinet meeting last Tuesday, 19 May, Billanook Ward’s Tim Heenan called for the government to bring her home safely.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith told the meeting that government was doing everything it could.
“We are doing everything we can to help her and her family,” he said.
“But we are limited to what we can do especially as it’s in front of the criminal process of another country.”
Ms Smoel denied stealing the mat but still faced up to five years jail. Following a meeting with the Thai ambassador, Ms Smoel agreed to plead guilty in a bid to get home to her girls.
She pleaded guilty before a Thai court last week and received a six-month suspended sentence and was fined 1000 Baht ($38). Ms Smoel landed back in Australia early afternoon on Thursday and was reunited with family and friends.