A 50-year-old Australian man arrested in Thailand for the sexual assault of the 11-year-old daughter of his Thai girlfriend may face up to 10 years' in jail if convicted, police say.
Ben Agame Ofar was detained on October 31 by Thai provincial police attached to the Family Protection and Anti-Trafficking Centre, and faces charges of rape and sexual abuse of a minor.
The assaults allegedly took place at an apartment in Chonburi province, 70 kilometres from Bangkok.
Ofar's arrest came following a complaint to police by the girl's family, Lieutenant-Colonel Passakorn Paijit, deputy police superintendent at the Banglamung police offices in Chonburi province, told AAP.
The charges allege Ofar, an Australian of Israeli birth, assaulted the girl on at least four occasions.
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Colonel Passakorn said Ofar has denied the charges.
"Ofar denies his actions, but it was his right to say so at the time," Colonel Passakorn said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it was "aware of the case and consular officials are working closely with local authorities".
Ofar has been living in Thailand for at least a year and had been in a relationship with the girl's mother for about six months, Colonel Passakorn said.
"Taking advantage sexually of a young girl, the sentence is not under 10 years, but it depends on the judge," he said.
Police said Ofar had threatened to hit the girl if she informed her mother of the assault.
He is currently being held in police cells pending a court appearance. No date has yet been set for the court hearing.
