Austrian Expat Given 1,673-Year Sentence for Child Abuse in Thailand

Austrian Expat Given 1,673-Year Sentence for Child Abuse in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 27, 2026 — A Thai court has sentenced an Austrian expatriate to a combined prison term of 1,673 years for repeatedly sexually abusing his daughter over several years in northeastern Thailand.

The 54-year-old man, originally from western Austria, was convicted on 134 separate offences committed in Nakhon Ratchasima province, where he had been raising the child alone after separating from his partner.

According to reports, the abuse began when the girl was eight years old and continued for years. Investigators said the man also handed the child over to a photographer on two occasions, during which the girl was further abused and explicit images were produced and distributed.

Authorities launched an investigation after an international charity alerted law enforcement to an online chat group allegedly containing abusive images shared by the suspect.

The case took four years to reach a final ruling before the Thai court delivered its verdict, which is now legally binding.

Under Thai law, each abuse is treated as an individual criminal offence, resulting in the unusually large cumulative sentence. However, Thailand’s sentencing limits mean the Austrian national will serve a maximum of 50 years in prison, effectively a life sentence.

Reports also stated that the man had previously been convicted in Austria in a separate child abuse case before relocating to Thailand.

Andreas Holzer, director of Austria’s Federal Criminal Police Office, said the case demonstrated the importance of international cooperation between law enforcement agencies and liaison officers in protecting children and combating transnational crimes.

Thai authorities have withheld the victim’s identity to protect her privacy.