Channarong Khongsiri, 27, is accused of being among four people who broke into the house on July 4. The girl and her mother were raped and the gang made off with Bt1 million in valuables.

Channarong was arrested in Phichit's Pho Thale district. Items stolen from the house were found with him, as was a weapon believed to have been used in the attack, police said.

Maj-General Chanin Preecha-harn said Channarong confessed to robbery and rape.

He told police the rapes and robbery were committed in revenge for a Bt700,000 debt owed by the German man, Chanin said.

Chanin said the suspect claimed he asked for payment one month ago but was refused. He then started planning the robbery.

Channarong claimed the money was back pay for more than a year's work as a bodyguard, Chanin said.

The German is suspected of being involved in criminal activity. He was not at his home at the time of the assaults and robbery and police have been unable to locate him. Channarong claimed the German conned foreigners out of their money through bogus real-estate investments and was involved in cigarette smuggling, the police officer said.

Channarong also alleged the German had him abduct "some foreigners", who he detained at a Nonthaburi house for three days. The foreigners were then taken away by associates of the German.

Channarong said he did not know what became of them.

Channarong had a previous rape conviction, Chanin said.

The wife yesterday identified Channarong as one of the men who attacked the family, and identified stolen valuables.

Channarong re-enacted his alleged crimes for police.

On Monday police arrested Channarong's father, Boonyong Khongsiri, 49, on rape and robbery charges. Also arrested were a cousin, Kosin Khongsiri, 25, and his common-law wife, Wilaiwan Pheungchai, 25. They were charged with robbery. The German family's housekeeper, Plew Seubrom, 54, was charged as an accomplice.