Thai authorities knew a Melbourne-based refugee would be arriving in the country for a holiday after being tipped off by the Australian government.
Australian permanent resident Hakeem AlAraibi is being held in detention in Bangkok after being arrested over an Interpol Red Notice warrant issued by his native Bahrain.
The Home Affairs Department said Australia was obliged to inform Thai authorities about the semi-professional footballer's travel plans.
Mr AlAraibi headed to Thailand to enjoy his first overseas holiday with his wife since fleeing Bahrain to Australia in 2014.
He was granted refugee status in November 2017
"The Interpol National Central Bureau in Australia advised Thai authorities in relation to the scheduled arrival of a person who was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice," a department spokesperson said.
"The Interpol Red Notice was not put in place by Australia; the existence of the Interpol Red Notice would have come to the attention of Thai authorities when the person attempted to enter Thailand."
