An Australian fugitive wanted for child sex abuse and drug offenses has been arrested in Thailand after sailing a yacht for five months to reach the country. Convicted paedophile Richard Carl Skrinjar, 57, breached his reporting conditions by illegally sailing to meet his Thai girlfriend before authorities caught up with him.
Details of the Arrest
Skrinjar is believed to have skippered a small yacht through the perilous waters of Indochina before reaching the Gulf of Thailand. Once on land, he reportedly took a bus to his partner's home in the northeast. Police raided his home in Khon Kaen province in the early hours of April 28, following a tip-off from Queensland police about his location.
During the raid, the suspect reportedly tried to destroy a laptop before surrendering to police. Footage shows him emerging from the house wearing only boxers, raising his hands in surrender.
Criminal Background
Authorities said an Interpol Green Notice had been issued for Skrinjar, who has 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 offenses 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, stated that police secured a search warrant from the Khon Kaen Provincial court after tracking Skrinjar'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. However, he followed his Thai girlfriend to Thailand after she left Australia about two years ago.'
Previous Escape Attempt
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. That alleged escape 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.
Skrinjar has been remanded in custody to face charges under the Immigration Act and other relevant laws. He reportedly confessed to all charges.
