KOH PHANGAN — Immigration Police in Surat Thani Province arrested an Australian suspect wanted for 13 sexual assault cases and 2 rape cases in Australia. The suspect was hiding in Thailand, planning to spend his retirement years there.
Mr. Helio, a 62-year-old Australian national, might have looked like a typical foreign tourist wanting to spend his retirement on Koh Phangan, known for its beautiful seascapes and tranquility. However, the serious crimes he committed in the past caught up with him, preventing him from living the life he had hoped for.
Helio was arrested by Surat Thani Immigration Police on September 12 for overstaying his visa. However, the crimes he committed in Australia were far more severe.
According to the Immigration Bureau’s information system, Helio entered Thailand on June 16, 2024, with a visa exemption for tourists. His permission expired on July 15, 2024. He applied for a 30-day extension for tourism purposes, which expired on August 14. However, there was no record of him leaving the country.
Later, investigators learned that Helio was staying at a resort in Koh Phangan. They went to investigate and found him in violation of overstaying his visa. Helio claimed he was planning to apply for a retirement visa to spend his later years in Thailand.
When checking his criminal history, authorities found that he had an Interpol Blue Notice. Based on this information, investigators contacted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and learned that Helio had an arrest warrant and criminal history in Australia for 13 sexual assault cases and 2 rape cases, with incidents dating back to 2017.
Initially, officials handed him over to Koh Phangan Police Station to process the overstay case. They will then coordinate with Australian authorities for his extradition.
_______
