Thai police arrested a well-known Russian pianist at a beach resort for alleged child abuse, officials said Wednesday.
Michail Pletnjow, 53, a world-class pianist and composer, was arrested Monday in Pattaya on charges of raping a 14-year-old Thai boy.
"The boy has agreed to testify against him so we'll proceed with the case," said Police Lieutenant Omsing Sukgankha, of the women and children's rights protection division.
If found guilty, Pletnjow faces up to 20 years in jail.
Pletnjow was a frequent visitor to Pattaya beach resort, 100 kilometres south-east of Bangkok, where he owned several houses and had set up a music school, police said.
According to Pattaya-based child protection groups, the pianist had a history of child abuse in the resort that is somewhat notorious for its night entertainment and prostitution scene.
"We've been compiling evidence against him for some time now," Omsing told German Press Agency dpa.