An Irish national has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in Thailand after living for nearly a decade under the identity of a deceased man while evading drug and money laundering charges in Australia. On 3 March, Pol Col Naruewat Puttawiro, Superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, confirmed that Hua Hin Provincial Court had convicted Mr Paul Noel Casey under case number A51/2569. He received a sentence of 218 months, or approximately 18 years, for using a fake passport and offences under the Immigration Act.

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The arrest followed intelligence from foreign media and Irish nationals on Koh Phangan that a man resembling a major drug suspect from Australia was living locally. Surat Thani and Prachuap Khiri Khan immigration officers coordinated with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and verified fingerprints through biometric systems. Authorities found that Mr Casey had used a forged Irish passport in the name of Mr Alan Murray, an Irish citizen who died in 2016, to conceal his identity.

Investigators determined that Mr Casey applied for the passport using his own photograph, successfully obtaining it from the embassy in 2014. He first entered Thailand in 2015 and resided on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province. Using the false identity, he travelled in and out of Thailand 28 times.

Mr Casey, 46, had been wanted in Australia since 2013 for alleged drug offences and money laundering after fleeing Sydney before appearing in court. He was traced to Koh Phangan and arrested at a hotel in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, on 11 August 2024. AFP fingerprint records confirmed his identity against criminal databases.

He was charged with overstaying his visa by 446 days and providing false information to officials. After lengthy court proceedings, Hua Hin Provincial Court delivered its judgment on 13 January 2026, sentencing him to 218 months’ imprisonment. Reports stated the court initially imposed a 30-year term due to the seriousness of the offences and their impact on national security, but reduced it to 18 years following his guilty plea.

Police Captain Aroon Moosikim, who led the case alongside Pol Col Naruewat Puttawiro, said: “The suspect was using a fake passport to live in Thailand for a long time. He had a good life on the Full Moon Party island. But it was only when someone recognised him that he was detected. Then the game was over.”

Matichon reported that Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the case reflected successful cooperation between police in three countries to combat transnational crime and prevent Thailand being used as a hiding place. After completing his sentence in Thailand, Australian authorities are expected to coordinate extradition proceedings for him to face drug and money laundering charges.

Picture courtesy of Matichon

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 4 Mar 2026

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4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the case reflected successful cooperation between police in three countries to combat transnational crime and prevent Thailand being used as a hiding place.

Yes, of course! The only problem is that they didn´t have a clue of his existence before members of the public recognized the guy. Looks like he forgot that quickly.

Always astonished how lax some countries handle passport issuing.

Swiss embassy requires appearance in person to take biometric photo, fingerprints and signature all digital.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Investigators determined that Mr Casey applied for the passport using his own photograph, successfully obtaining it from the embassy in 2014.

11 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Always astonished how lax some countries handle passport issuing.

Swiss embassy requires appearance in person to take biometric photo, fingerprints and signature all digital.

Agree, but this was like 12 years ago, and the biometric might not have been so refined as it is today. The guy probably got a 10-year passport, and know he couldn´t renew it again, hence the 446 days overstay.

18 years for using a fake passport? Successful cooperation between three countries police forces?

He’s lucky he didn’t mow down a cop while driving a Ferrari.

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

18 years for using a fake passport? Successful cooperation between three countries police forces?

He’s lucky he didn’t mow down a cop while driving a Ferrari.

You've got a funny idea of "lucky". He's now going to be facing drugs and money laundering charges in Australia after doing his 18 years.

This is an oddly long sentence for something that's seemingly victimless.

An example, someone but another mans throat and he died, he did a few years - like 3 before he was out again. I saw the fight where this happened, he used a machete and but his throat.

18 years for a 'document fraud' which happened in a foreign country - something doesn't add up here

14 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You've got a funny idea of "lucky". He's now going to be facing drugs and money laundering charges in Australia after doing his 18 years.

And will receive counselling and probably citizenship in Australia based on his traumatic experience,...honestly the guy should of faced the music on Australia and got a slap on the wrist and free prisoner housing