Police in the southern province of Trang have arrested a Swiss man for a violent assault that left a 58 year old Thai woman seriously injured.
Nation Thailand reports that 60 yearold Dieter Matthias Straumann was arrested on Tuesday, March 5, following the assault, which took place in a shopping centre. The victim has been named as Natthanan Kikkham, who remains in intensive care in Trang Hospital.
The woman’s son, Kittipong, told police his mother was shopping on the second floor of the shopping centre when the incident happened. He says she was recovering from a medical procedure and using a walker to get around.
When Straumann accidentally bumped into her, she turned around and told him in English to be more polite. Kittipong says the Swiss man then lost his temper and punched the woman 4 times before walking off.
Ms Natthanan reacted by throwing a water bottle after him, which caused him to turn around and put her in a headlock. He then proceeded to punch her repeatedly and at one point, slammed her face into the floor.
Workers at the shopping centre came to the woman’s aid and she was rushed to hospital. It’s understood she has a broken nose, black eyes, and a bruised back. Her son says that while the assault was not caught on CCTV, there are plenty of witnesses prepared to testify.
Meanwhile, officers at Mueang Trang Police station spent 9 hours trying to question Straumann with the help of an interpreter but the Swiss man refused to answer them. He was subsequently charged with assaulting and injuring another person.
According to the report, Straumann refused to sign anything to acknowledge the charge. Officers sought an order from Trang Court to keep him in custody while they continue their investigation ahead of a court hearing.
Immigration records show Straumann entered Thailand legally and is on a retirement visa. Police say he lives alone at a rented property in the Mueang district, adding that his Thai girlfriend left him following a series of arguments.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
