Governor Sophon through his statement yesterday (Apr 10) confirmed that the assault charge against Fehr, also called by his nickname ‘David’, for allegedly kicking a 26-year-old woman doctor in the back was still being heard in court.
Dr Thandao, a doctor at Dibuk Hospital, was sitting on steps to the Yamu beach with her friend to watch the full moon in front of Fehr’s rented luxury villa at Yamu Beach, Pa Khlok, on Feb 24.
It was reported that Fehr and his wife, Khanuengnit, misunderstood that the pair were intruding into his property. However, officials later confirmed that the steps to the beach were illegally built on seaside public land. The steps were later demolished.
Following the incident, Fehr and his wife apologised. The Swiss said he did not kick the doctor; he instead slipped while approaching her.
Regardless, the Immigration Bureau revoked Fehr’s permit to stay in early March.
“Initially, the Immigration Bureau had revoked Mr David’s visa and we learned that there had been an appeal regarding the visa revocation. An appeal hearing will be held soon with the central level committees and Immigration with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior as Chairman of the committee,” Governor Sophon said.
“For the part of the prosecution of physical assault, It is currently in the court consideration process,” he added.
“And I would like to confirm that there is no person or group from the Phuket Provincial Office lobbying to help with the case, and [confirm] that government officials will strictly carry out their duties according to their authority,” Governor Sophon assured.
“And every day Phuket Province [Phuket Provincial Office] reports the progress of both cases to the Minister of Interior,” Governor Sophon said.
The Minister of Interior is Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who famously said of allowing Fehr to appeal visa revocation, “Not under this interior minister’s watch.”
During his visit to Phuket in the fallout from the Fehr case, Anutin warned foreigners living in Thailand to abide by the law or their visas would be revoked.
Speaking on Bangla Rd, Anutin said, “What happened was the behavior of a few people, but wherever it happens, we will handle it. You can see that recently it was done. We withdrew the visa. An appeal was submitted to the Ministry of Interior. There is no need to appeal, it’s a waste of time, better to go home.”