NEW JERSEY, USA - A global manhunt led yesterday to the capture of a paedohile in a country that is not Thailand.

Wayne Nelson Corliss, 57, who was fingered through pictures released this week by Interpol, was apprehended in, of all places, Union City, New Jersey, in his homeland of the United States.

The crazy twist of events has led some analysts to speculate that either Wayne Nelson Corliss, 57, is not a paedophile or was simply on a quick return trip home to take a break from his paedophilia in Thailand.

Thai police and Bangkok-based foreign correspondents are also convinced that Corliss is linked to Thailand and was in the United States either on holiday from his cover job of teaching English here or on a visa run "or something like that.”

"I mean, of course, there is a Thai connection but so far Corliss hasn't fessed up," said one US investigator. "Every time we mention Thailand, he swears to God he's never been there, lying bastard."