The 53-year-old Russian woman who spent two nights in police lockup after she was caught feeding bread to fish on Racha Yai Island, south of Phuket, has been released on THB100,000 bail paid for a by a friend.
Olga Smirnova was released on bail by the Phuket Provincial Court Tuesday, as was confirmed by Lt. Sakkarin Sangjaroen of the Chalong Police.
“She didn’t have enough money to post bail, so we had to keep her at Chalong Police Station for two nights until we handed her to the Phuket Provincial Court on Feb 21,” he said
A confused Smirnova was taken into custody on Koh Racha Yai on Sunday for the heinous act of feeding bread to fish close to a coral reef, then taken to Chalong Police Station to be charged.
Unable to post bail, she was incarcerated in the police cell at 7:30pm.
Smirnova was presented to Phuket Provincial Court, when Ratree Raksaart, a Thai woman and friend of Smirnova’s, arrived with Tourist Police and posted bail on the Russian woman’s behalf.
“Smirnova is not permitted to leave the country while waiting for her trial to begin,” Lt. Sakkarin said.
“She must report herself to the court on March 6,” he added.
Story: The Phuket News
