Police in Thailand have arrested a 30-year-old Australian man under the emergency decree used to end almost two months of Red Shirt protests in Bangkok, the ABC reports.
He has been identified as as Conor David Purcell, an ex-soldier working in Bangkok as a language teacher. Purcell was arrested at his apartment complex in the city on Sunday.
Thai authorities say he incited unrest while speaking from the stage of the Red Shirt protest camp on two occasions.
Connor David Purcell, who claims he is a former Australian reservist, said his speeches to the crowds in central Bangkok, and translated into Thai by protest leaders, were aimed at trying to keep the world informed.
A 29-year-old Australian who is a regular speaker at anti-government rallies in Bangkok, says he had been radicalised by an April 10 clash between the Thai military and demonstrators.
Purcell claims to have a university degree from Western Australia and says he is an admirer of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The English language Bangkok Post, previously reported, quoting an embassy source, that Purcell's behaviour and public statements were disturbing and he had been advised to return to Australia.
The report said he broke quite a few Thai laws.
