Bangkok – A Czech national believed to be infected with HIV and wanted by Interpol for sex-related crimes has been apprehended by Thai police in the southern city of Phuket, police told dpa on Wednesday.
Zdenek Pfeifer was captured after Thai police launched a manhunt for the man they believe has intentionally transmitted HIV through sexual intercourse.
He was first spotted riding a motorcycle into a Phuket department store parking lot, the Bangkok Post reported.
Pfeifer, named in a red notice issued by Interpol, is also wanted by Czech police for sex offences with minors in the Czech Republic, Thai police said.
It is unclear how many people the 52-year-old had sexual intercourse with in Thailand, but local media reported he had passed on his infection to several male and female partners in the northern city of Chiang Mai and nearby provinces, before moving to Phuket.
Pfeifer has been initially charged with overstaying his Thai visa and is currently being held at a Phuket police station before being sent to Bangkok for further interrogation.