PHUKET police hope the mediation process has settled a case involving an impecunious Patong flower seller and 16 stolen packets of bird's nest that she hoped would restore her mother's health.

The woman, Sukanya Pandee, 23, was arrested after security camera footage at a Patong Family Mart store, near the Sainamyen School, indicated she had been stealing packs of Brands' bird's nest.

Police sat down the store owner with Khun Sukanya, and at first, he suggested a cash penalty of 10 times the value of a bird's nest pack. At 146 baht a pack, that would make a total of 14,600 baht - far more than Khun Sukanya could afford.

Khun Sukanya said that her mother fell seriously ill at the small Patong apartment they shared. A friend brought some bird's nest, and the restorative seemed to make her mother feel better.

So, unable to afford the high cost of the 146 baht packs because her income from flower-selling was never enough, she began stealing single packs of Brands bird's nest, purely to restore her mother's health.

She was caught stealing the 16th pack. After hearing that police had confirmed that Khun Sukanya had been telling the truth about her sick mother, the Family Mart owner relented.

The mediated agreement allows Khun Sukanya to drop by the store when she has money to spare and pay off the cost of the 16 packs 10baht or 20 baht at a time, with no deadline.

The mediation process has bee introduced on Phuket to ease pressure on the courts and the Phuket Prison and to help victims and perpetrators reach just settlements.