Get you up to speed: Australian fugitive arrested in Thailand after five-month yacht journey
Convicted paedophile Richard Carl Skrinjar, 57, was arrested on April 28 in Khon Kaen province after illegally sailing for five months to meet his Thai girlfriend. He had breached his reporting conditions as a registered sex offender, required to report his whereabouts to Australian authorities.
Convicted paedophile Richard Carl Skrinjar, 57, was arrested in Thailand after evading Australian authorities by sailing for five months, breaching his reporting conditions as a registered sex offender. Police Colonel Suriyasak Jirawat stated that they secured a search warrant based on information from Queensland police, leading to Skrinjar’s capture on April 28.
Richard Carl Skrinjar has been remanded in custody to face charges under the Immigration Act and other relevant laws in Thailand. Authorities have issued an Interpol Green Notice for him, and he reportedly confessed to all charges following his arrest.
Paedophile fugitive caught in Thailand after sailing yacht for fives months | News World
After a tip-off from Queensland police, Skrinjar was arrested (Picture: Viral Press)
An Australian fugitive wanted over child sex abuse and drugs has been arrested – after sailing a yacht to reach Thailand.
Convicted paedophile Richard Carl Skrinjar, 57, set sail for five months, breaching reporting conditions by sailing illegally to meet his Thai girlfriend before he was caught by authorities.
He is believed to have skippered a small yacht to navigate the perilous waters of Indochina before reaching the Gulf of Thailand.
Once on dry land, he is said to have taken a bus to his partner’s home in the northeast.
His home was raided by police in Khon Kaen province in the early hours of April 28, following a tip-off from Queensland police about his location.
The suspect reportedly tried to destroy a laptop before surrendering to police, as footage showed him emerging, wearing only boxers, raising his hands to surrender.
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Skrinjar was arrested outside of his home with his girlfriend by his side (Picture: Viral Press)
Authorities said an Interpol Green Notice had been issued for Skrinjar, who had an extensive criminal record, including sexual abuse of minors, possession of child exploitation material, assault, and drug smuggling.
Australian courts sentenced him for multiple sexual offences committed between 2007 and 2021, involving victims aged 14 and under.
He was also convicted of producing child pornography and placed on the sex offender register with lifelong reporting requirements.
Police Colonel Suriyasak Jirawat, superintendent of Sub-Division 3 of the Crime Suppression Division, said police secured a search warrant from the Khon Kaen Provincial court after tracking down Richard’s movements.
He added: ‘During questioning, Skrinjar admitted that he was aware that he would have to report his address to the authorities after his imprisonment.
Police seized his electronic devices after his arrest (Picture: Viral Press)
‘However, he followed his Thai girlfriend to Thailand after she left Australia about two years ago.’
Skrinjar has been remanded in custody to face charges under the Immigration Act and other relevant laws.
He reportedly confessed to all charges. Skrinjar had made a similar bid for freedom in February 2024, when he was caught sailing to Daru Island in Papua New Guinea, 125 miles off the coast of Australia.
He reportedly planned to travel to Port Moresby before catching a flight to Thailand.
The alleged escape in 2024 came as he was about to complete his two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence for reportedly grooming a 14-year-old girl in August 2022.
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