The trial of a British Columbia teacher accused of sexually abusing a nine-year-old in Thailand began Monday in Bangkok, but was held over until October when the alleged victim is expected to testify.

Barefoot and shackled, Christopher Paul Neil appeared before the court and, as he did during an appearance in January, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The charges include sexually abusing a minor, videotaping the alleged abuse, taking a child without parental consent and holding him against his will.

Christopher Paul Neil sits in the cell in criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, charged with sexually abusing a nine-year-old boy. (Apichart Weerawong/Associated Press)

The 33-year-old man from Maple Ridge, B.C., who worked as a teacher in different parts of Asia before his arrest last October, faces up to 20 years in prison if he is found guilty.

Neil became the subject of an international police search last year after Interpol released censored photos of him allegedly engaging in sexual acts with young boys from different parts of southeast Asia, including Cambodia and Vietnam.

The nine-year-old Thai boy at the centre of Neil's trial contacted police after seeing him on television following his arrest. The boy alleged Neil paid him between 500 baht ($15) and 1,000 baht ($30) to perform oral sex in 2003.

At the time of Neil's arrest, police said a boy alleged he was lured to Neil's apartment in Bangkok by a Thai man. Neil lived in Thailand from 2002 to early 2004, police said.

The nine-year-old, who is now 14, is expected to take the stand Oct. 7 at the resumption of the trial, which is expected to go four days. The prosecution intends to call eight witnesses, while the defence has registered four.

Neil appeared before the court Monday wearing orange prison garb and a smile.

"I think he looked fairly fit and healthy. He's now shaven his head…he was smiling quite a bit and he seemed very much at ease," freelance journalist Andrew Chant reported from Bangkok.

Neil's brother, Matthew Neil, told the Canadian Press on the weekend that the man was optimistic and "in good spirits."

Civil suit started against teacher

Christopher Neil was also informed Monday that the father of one of the alleged victims has launched a civil suit against him. Neil registered a plea of not guilty, and when asked if he would make a settlement with the father, replied that he had no money.

Neil's arrest in northern Thailand came nearly two weeks after the France-based international police agency issued a rare global appeal in a three-year investigation to try to identify a man who appeared in 200 photos posted online depicting the sexual abuse of young Asian boys. Police have said they believe many of the photos were taken in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Neil taught at various schools in Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam since at least 2000.

While Neil is not expected to face further charges in Thailand, several investigations are underway in other countries.

With files from the Canadian Press and Associated Press