Thai authorities have arrested a Norwegian man in Buriram province following an investigation involving law-enforcement agencies in Norway and the Philippines, according to a press release from DSI.
Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said the man, identified only as “Hans”, was arrested on September 16 after authorities searched his home in Ban Kruat district.
The operation involved the DSI, Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, local police and provincial social-development officials. A Nordic police liaison officer based in Thailand also observed the operation.
According to the DSI, the investigation followed information provided by law-enforcement authorities in Norway and the Philippines concerning the Norwegian national’s suspected possession or distribution of child sexual abuse material and possible links to the sexual exploitation of children.
Officers found mobile phones, a laptop and an external hard drive at the property. The DSI said the devices contained a large amount of child sexual abuse material, with some of the information linked to communications with other suspects in the Philippines.
The man was arrested by Immigration officials under Section 287/1 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for possession of child sexual abuse material for sexual purposes. His electronic devices were seized for further forensic examination.
Under Section 287/1, the offence carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. This is the statutory maximum and does not mean that the suspect has been sentenced to that penalty.
The DSI also said its investigation found that the man had previously been convicted by a Norwegian court in 2004 in a case involving possession of child sexual abuse material.
Thai investigators are continuing to examine the evidence and are considering whether the case could also involve human trafficking offences. The DSI said further legal action will follow if additional evidence is found.
The case highlights cooperation between law-enforcement authorities in Thailand, Norway and the Philippines in investigating suspected online sexual exploitation of children across borders.
