Yacht escape fails as wanted paedophile tracked down in Thailand hideout

An Australian fugitive wanted over child sex abuse and drugs has been arrested – after sailing a yacht to reach Thailand.

Convicted pedophile 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.

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 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, 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.

‘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.