An American man wanted in the United States on eight warrants over alleged sexual offences against children was arrested at a hotel on Saturday, police said.
The suspect, identified as Lance Beck, 48, was arrested in tambon Nai Yang, Thalang district, after the FBI coordinated with Thai police, immigration investigators and local officers.
Mr Beck is wanted on seven state and one federal warrant in Alabama in connection with alleged sexual offences against minors, police said.
The charges include sexual torture, rape, human trafficking, facilitating a child’s travel for an unlawful sexual act, sexual abuse and incest.
Police said Mr Beck was accused of sexually abusing children under 14 and recording videos of the alleged abuse before fleeing to Thailand.
Thai authorities later learned he had entered the country through Phuket airport and was staying at the hotel. Officers found him there and informed him that his permission to remain in Thailand had been revoked.
Mr Beck was taken into custody before being transferred to the Immigration Detention Centre pending deportation, police said.