3-3-2024 (BANGKOK) Residents of Phuket are gearing up for a gathering at Yamu Beach in Thalang district this Sunday to protest against a Swiss man accused of assaulting a local resident who was sitting on steps near his beachfront villa.
On the evening of February 24, Urs “David” Fehr, 45, allegedly kicked Dr. Thandao Chandam, a physician at Dibuk Hospital in Phuket, in the back while she and her friend were enjoying the moonlight in front of his villa. The alleged incident also involved verbal berating by Khanuengnit, the Swiss man’s wife. Dr. Thandao subsequently filed an assault complaint with the police.
In response, the Swiss couple claimed they believed the doctor and her friend were Chinese tourists who had trespassed on their property earlier. Mr. Fehr issued an apology, asserting that he had no intention of causing harm.
Despite the apology, local residents are demanding the expulsion of the Swiss man and the restoration of the public beach to the community. A rally is planned for this Sunday to voice these concerns.
The couple was summoned to Thalang police station on Friday to acknowledge a physical assault charge. The police will later submit the case summary to Phuket Kwaeng Court for legal proceedings.
Interestingly, the villa steps where the incident occurred were found to encroach on public beach land, even though they were not on the couple’s property. Local authorities contend that this further justifies the call for the return of the public beach to its rightful residents.
On Thursday, Tambon Pa Klok municipality filed a complaint against Phuket Peninsula Estate Co Ltd, the entity responsible for the villa project. Further inspections revealed two additional constructions, wooden stairs, and a lounging ground, also encroaching on the beach, according to Tambon Pa Klok mayor Panya Sampaorat.
