An Australian man has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly committing crimes against the country's royal family, authorities say.
The 41-year-old was arrested on Sunday.
"We can confirm the arrest of a 41-year-old Australian man, originally from Melbourne, in Bangkok on August 31 on possible lese majeste charges," a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesman said.
Lese majeste charges relate to offences against the Crown.
The Australian embassy in Bangkok is providing consular assistance to the man, while DFAT in Canberra is providing assistance to his family in Australia, the spokesman said.
The ABC reports that the man is Harry Nicolaides and he was arrested after arriving in Thailand on Sunday.
Nicolaides has visited Thailand since 2003 and written a book which mentions members of the royal family, the national broadcaster reports.
He graduated from La Trobe University in 1988 and is also a blogger.
Nicolaides has taught at the Mae Fah Luang University in the northern Thai town of Chiang Rai.
It is believed he was refused bail and is being held at the Bangkok Remand Centre.
Photo: phuket-info.com