Swiss man who kicked woman in Phuket loses visa

Thai immigration officials have cancelled the visa of a Swiss national who allegedly kicked a Thai woman in Phuket, deeming the foreigner a threat to society.

Major General Songprot Sirisukha, commander of the immigration unit overseeing the southern provinces, last night signed an order cancelling the visa of Swiss national Urs Fehr, also known as David, the Bangkok Post reported.

The basis was a proposal from the provincial mayor’s office and Phuket’s immigration office, said deputy immigration spokesman Col Parinya Klinkaisorn.

The behaviour of the Swiss man, as reported by the Phuket governor and the Phuket Immigration Police commander, is regarded as a threat to society,” Col Parinya said.

Phuket Immigration Police will detain the Swiss man, who is likely to request temporary release to defend himself in a criminal case of physical assault,” the police spokesman explained.

Urs Fehr, the 45-year-old managing director of Elephant Sanctuary Park, allegedly kicked Dr Thandao Chandam, a 26-year-old doctor at Dibuk Hospital, in the back as the woman sat on the steps of Yamu Beach with a friend admiring the full moon outside the Swiss man’s villa.

It was reported that Fer and his Thai wife mistakenly thought they were trespassing on private property. However, officials later found that the steps to the beach were built illegally on coastal public land.

After the incident, Fehr and his spouse apologised to the woman. The Swiss said he did not kick the doctor deliberately but tripped on the steps as he approached.

Phuket police chief Major-General Sinlert Sukhum said Fehr has been charged with physical and mental assault, and police are questioning witnesses. The police chief said the case will reach the Phuket Prosecutor’s Office within this week.

Major General Sinlert said Feru will also face another charge related to a Swiss man’s conflict with an ambulance driver.

Phuket Animal Husbandry Development Department chief Sutas Niyomthai confirmed that the 14 elephants at Thera’s elephant sanctuary park are healthy and registered. Thalang District Assistant Chief Thalang Wisut Romin said local tax officials had not yet inspected the enterprise.

Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lieutenant General Itthipol Itthisarnnachai said Phera’s retirement visa had been cancelled, but the foreigner has the right to appeal the visa cancellation within 48 hours. The likelihood of deportation to his home country depends on the resolution of criminal cases,” the commissioner added.