Authorities identified the suspect as Stephen Kim Le Cornu, a retired foreigner living in Thailand.
Mr Cornu was apprehended Tuesday at his home in a housing estate, Sinthorn, on Happy Land Road in Bangkok’s Bang Kapi district.
The arrest was conducted by a joint force from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Technology Crime Suppression Division, the Anti-Human Trafficking Division and Australian authorities.
The probe was launched after Thai authorities received a tip-off from foreign officials that content concerning child molestation was posted by the Australian man on overseas websites.
Police later sought a search warrant as well as an arrest warrant for Mr Cornu from the court.
Pol Capt Kemmachart Prakaihongmanee, deputy director of the DSI’s Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime, said officers had now examined Mr Cornu’s computer and mobile phone. He said messages related to performing obscene acts with children were also found.
Authorities, however, have yet to discover evidence that proved the suspect has committed child molestation.
While being questioned, police say Mr Cornu admitted writing those messages and posting them on foreign websites.
His act violates Section 187 of the Criminal Code which bans the production of child pornography.
Mr Cornu has also been charged with possession of child pornography and production of obscene material in violation of the Computer Crime Act.
He could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine of 100,000 baht. – Bangkok Post