Thai immigration police and supporting units have arrested Australian national, identified by authorities only as Richard in a coordinated early morning raid on 28 April 2026 in Khon Kaen. The operation resulted in his detention at a residence in the city after authorities identified it as a hiding place for a wanted international offender. Officials confirmed he was taken into custody without resistance while staying inside the property.

Get today's headlines by email

The arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation involving the Investigation Division of Immigration Bureau Region 4, Khon Kaen Immigration, the Crime Suppression Division, and the Tourist Police. Authorities said the operation was conducted after close coordination with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) office in Bangkok and Australian agencies seeking the suspect. Richard has been hiding in Thailand after his passport was cancelled by Australian authorities in an effort to restrict his travel.

According to police sources, Richard is listed on Australia’s sex offender register and has a serious criminal record. His reported offences include sexual abuse and indecent acts involving children, possession of child sexual abuse material, assault and drug-related offences. Australian authorities had issued a warrant for his arrest, prompting concerns that he may attempt to use Thailand as a safe haven while evading prosecution.

Thai police said the case reflects an ongoing zero tolerance policy toward transnational crime and the use of Thailand as a refuge by foreign fugitives. Officials emphasised that cases involving child exploitation and human-related offences are treated as high priority due to their international implications. The arrest was described as a result of strengthened cross-border cooperation between Thai law enforcement and international partners.

Thaitabloid reported that authorities confirmed that Richard is currently being held for legal processing under Thai law, with further coordination expected with Australian authorities regarding extradition proceedings. He is likely to be repatriated to face charges in Australia once formal procedures are completed.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 29 Apr 2026

View full article

Mandatory castration and 20 years in a Thai jail

UPDATE

Australian Fugitive Arrested in Thailand After Sea Voyage

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Thai police have arrested a 57-year-old Australian national in Khon Kaen after an international manhunt linked to child sexual offence convictions and alleged immigration violations.

On 29 April 2026, officers detained the suspect, identified as Richard Carl Skrinjar, at a house in Ban Ped subdistrict, Mueang district, Khon Kaen province. Authorities said he had overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand and his Australian passport cancelled. He was also listed under INTERPOL Green Notice No. C-218/4-2026, issued on 9 April 2026.

The arrest was carried out following coordination between Thai authorities and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) office in Bangkok, which requested assistance in locating him. Police confirmed that Queensland authorities had issued an arrest warrant for breaches of probation conditions after he allegedly left Australia despite restrictions.

According to investigators, the man had previously been convicted in Australia in multiple child sexual offence cases between 2007 and 2021, including the production of child sexual abuse material. He was therefore registered as a lifelong-reporting sex offender and subject to strict supervision and travel controls.

Authorities said he fled Australia and later undertook a five-month solo sailing journey to reach Southeast Asia. He allegedly entered Thailand illegally by docking in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, where he paid monthly mooring fees of 10000 Baht, before travelling to Khon Kaen.

Police located him at a residential property in Ban Ped following intelligence gathering and obtained a search warrant from the Khon Kaen Municipal Court before conducting the raid. During the operation, officers said the suspect attempted to damage a notebook computer, but was quickly restrained. Four electronic devices were seized for forensic examination.

During questioning, he reportedly admitted breaching probation conditions and leaving Australia unlawfully. He stated that his Thai partner had returned to Thailand around two years earlier and that he sailed alone in order to reunite with her.

Khaosod reported that Thai authorities confirmed he is currently in custody and faces proceedings under the Immigration Act and related legislation, with further coordination expected with Australian authorities regarding extradition.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 29 Apr 2026

UPDATE - Seems this is not the first time the suspect has attempted this.

Richard Carl Skrinjar Arrested After Boat Escape to PNG

Picture courtesy of Daily Mail

Registered sex offender Richard Carl Skrinjar was arrested after attempting to flee Australia by boat to Papua New Guinea, in breach of strict reporting conditions. Authorities say the 53-year-old’s attempted escape was intercepted following coordinated international intelligence sharing between Australian and Papua New Guinea law enforcement agencies.

The allegations relate to an incident in which Skrinjar travelled on a vessel named The Intrusior through the Torres Strait before arriving on Daru Island in Papua New Guinea, around 200km off the Australian coast, in February 2024. It is further alleged he intended to fly to Port Moresby and then continue on to Thailand. Police say he failed to notify authorities of his intended overseas travel, as required under his conditions.

The case follows a two-and-a-half year suspended sentence handed down in August 2022, after Skrinjar was convicted of grooming a teenage girl. Authorities allege his movements breached strict reporting requirements linked to his status as a registered offender.

Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Superintendent Wendy Rix said: “The effective intelligence sharing between the AFP and Papua New Guinea law enforcement partners was essential to the successful arrest of a convicted child sex offender.” She added: “The AFP is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and will continue to work with both domestic and international partners to identify and stop anyone involved in alleged offences of this type.”

Australian Border Force acting commander of operations Queensland Scott Butters said: “The ABF has ramped up our border intelligence capability in recent years, working closely with agencies here in Australia and with our partners overseas to build a global web of information sharing on those who would seek to harm our communities.”

Skrinjar was detained by Papua New Guinea authorities at the Fly Motel on Daru Island in connection with immigration matters before being returned to Australia after his status as a registered child sex offender was confirmed. Australian Federal Police officers arrested him on arrival in Cairns on 2 March 2024.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 29 Apr 2026

Plenty of high hotels in the area he could fall off by accident.

If that's his wife / girlfriend in the photo then bet she was a bit shocked when police told her what he was arrested for .

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

...identified by authorities only as Richard...

Ha, appropriate name.

Secondly, did they really need an entire SWAT team with body armour and assult rifles to go get some old dude? Seems a little overly dramatic.

1 hour ago, Sir Dude said:

Ha, appropriate name.

Secondly, did they really need an entire SWAT team with body armour and assult rifles to go get some old dude? Seems a little overly dramatic.

Not overly dramatic. Way too many police have been killed and injured serving the most mundane of warrants and summons. People under pressure are totally unpredictable and often flip-out violently. Just a few years ago, four US Federal LE officers were shot dead as they approached a home to serve a warrent.

5 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Mandatory castration and 20 years in a Thai jail

Please note for reference -

repatriated to face charges in Australia once formal procedures are completed.

Castrate him and make him a sailing instructor. Those are impressive journeys on a small boat. Must have viking blood in his veins.

10 hours ago, dddave said:

Not overly dramatic. Way too many police have been killed and injured serving the most mundane of warrants and summons. People under pressure are totally unpredictable and often flip-out violently. Just a few years ago, four US Federal LE officers were shot dead as they approached a home to serve a warrent.

so why do they not involve swat teams for all arrests? an elderly didler presents little threat (except to kids)

14 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Ha, appropriate name.

Secondly, did they really need an entire SWAT team with body armour and assult rifles to go get some old dude? Seems a little overly dramatic.

Whats wrong with his name ??.... just another noncy dude !

Did they need swat ??? you saw the photo right ??? - he was in a tank-top..... Thats some John Rambo shyat right there !...

On 4/30/2026 at 5:10 AM, richard_smith237 said:

n 4/29/2026 at 3:04 PM, Sir Dude said:

Ha, appropriate name.

Whats wrong with his name ??.... just another noncy dude

Ha ha, this is gold 😂