A Swiss man accused of a violent attack on a Thai woman in a Trang shopping centre has been barred from leaving the kingdom.
Dieter Matthias Straumann was arrested following a brutal attack on 58 year old Natthanan Kikkham back on Tuesday, March 5. Since then, he has been uncommunicative and uncooperative with officers from Mueang Trang Police.
Mr Straumann has refused to sign or fingerprint the document that confirms the charges against him. He is also facing a charge of resisting police officers in the course of their work. He also refused an offer of bail from his ex-wife and told police he didn’t want any communication with the Swiss Embassy.
He has now been moved from the police station to Trang Provincial Court and is understood to be on a “watch list” and banned from leaving Thailand (well, he’s in custody so not likely be leaving any time soon).
Meanwhile, his former wife has come forward to say her former husband is not a violent man and never assaulted her in the course of their 16 years together, although they have been separated recently.
She says Mr Straumann helped raise her children, paying for their education, and describes the assault as “incredibly out of character” for him. She believes he has been suffering from mental health issues since their separation.
Meanwhile, the court agreed to a bail request of 500,000 baht, which she agreed to pay. The Swiss national has also reportedly refused assistance from his relatives, telling officers he wants to remain in prison.
At this stage, Trang officials have complied with his wishes.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
