A 45 year old Swiss expat, accused of kicking a female doctor, has had his visa officially revoked with immigration officials deeming him “a threat to society”.
Urs Fehr, aka. David, is accused of kicking a Thai doctor as she sat with a friend on steps leading to his rented villa at Cape Yamu, in the Thalang district of Phuket.
The incident happened on the night of February 24 when 26 year old Dr Thandao Chandam sat on the steps with a friend, watching the full moon.
The fate of Mr Fehr’s Thai wife, who also hurled abuse at the Thai couple and made threats, has not been announced at this time.
Mr Fehr and his Thai wife say they thought the women were intruding on to the grounds of their rented property. However, officials have confirmed the steps in question were illegally built as they are on a public beach. They have since been demolished.
The Swiss man has apologised for the incident, insisting he didn’t intend to kick Dr Thandao, but slipped as he was coming down the steps where she was sitting. He has been charged with physical and mental assault, with police continuing to question witnesses.
Parinya Klinkaysorn, deputy spokesman of the Immigration Bureau, says an order was signed last night to revoke Mr Fehr’s visa, on the grounds that he is “a threat to social peace”.
The Bangkok Post reports that the authorities have said Mr Fehr can seek temporary release from custody in order to defend himself in the ongoing physical assault case, which has now been referred to the Phuket Provincial Court. It’s understood he will also face another charge in relation to a previous incident involving the obstruction of an ambulance.
Meanwhile, officials have inspected 14 elephants at the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park owned by Mr Fehr and have confirmed they are healthy and legally registered. Thalang district officials say they have yet to investigate the business operations of the sanctuary.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
