John Leary, 39, from Sydney, was arrested in Phuket after Thai authorities tracked him down to a motel in Patong beach on Friday night. His daughter Savannah, who is three, was sent to Bangkok on Saturday and cared for by welfare officials while her mother flew up from Sydney to collect her.

Leary appeared in Phuket pro-vincial court on Saturday, where he faced charges of entering Thailand illegally, and a warrant for his arrest issued by Australian police.

Police in Sydney allege that Leary abducted his daughter in October last year after his former wife was awarded custody of the child. They claim he demanded a ransom of about Bt30 million from his divorced wife for the return of the girl.

A Thai Immigration Police officer said Leary was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by an Australian court. He is believed to have been transferred to the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok.

Thai immigration sources said Leary's daughter had been reunited with her mother.

There is a strong chance Leary will be deported to Sydney promptly given the warrant for his arrest, the serious nature of the crimes he is accused of, and the fact he entered the country illegally.

Police from Sydney are understood to be heading to Thailand to escort Leary home.

A spokesman for the Australian embassy in Bangkok said officials were aware of Mr Leary's arrest and would be providing him with consular assistance.

Australian police based here and Thai immigration authorities tracked Leary down after tracing his mobile phone to Phuket.

Thai immigration officials have said that the Australian did not have an entry stamp visa in his passport and they suspect he may have travelled to Phuket by boat. The most recent visa stamp in his passport was for Malaysia, but residents in Phuket say it is relatively easy to cross to Thailand by getting a yacht north from Langkawi Island.

Leary's former wife, who is American born, was unable to be contacted yesterday.

Jim Pollard

The Nation