The gathering was also held as a show of support for Thandao Chandam, the woman doctor who has accused Swiss expat Urs Fehr of kicking her.
Fehr has denied kicking her intentionally. He stubbed his toe and ’slipped’, making his foot come into contact with her back unintentionally, he told officials on Friday.
The incident happened on concrete steps in front of Fehr’s rented luxury villa at Yamu Beach. The location of the concrete steps, where Ms Thandao and her friend were sitting when the incident happened, has since been confirmed to be public land.
Fehr claims that his actions were in the mistaken belief that the two women sitting on the steps were trespassing, and that he was chasing off trespassers.
Many of the people at the beach today carried signs callnig for an end to claims of ‘private beaches’ in Phuket, as all beaches in Thailand are by law deemed to be public land, for the use and enjoyment of all people.
‘Local people don’t want animals,’ one sign said. ‘Beaches are for the public,’ said another.
Police officers were present to ensure no further unwelcomed incidents occurred.
Prasit Wongkajorn, one of the local residents who joined the activity, said, “After seeing this in the news, I felt that this event should not have happened.
“Whether or not it was intentional physical harm is not clear, that is for the legal process to decide. As for myself, I came here today to see the place with my own eyes, and from what I see the doctor was the victim. I came to support the doctor,” he said.
“We, as people in the area, cannot accept this behaviour. We came together to show our strength against such inappropriate behaviour, so that society can live together peacefully.
“With what happened, no matter who it is, everyone has equal rights to human dignity. It was a violation of personal rights. It’s even worse that is was an act towards women. I can’t forgive it,” Mr Prasit said.
“Today’s gathering is a great opportunity. When I was a child, you could walk around Phuket, but now businesspeople have bought the land and often claim ownership right up to the beach, adn then claim the area to be a private beach.
“And when something like this happens, I want the relevant officials to take correct action. Make the beaches a public area that everyone can use together, and help support tourism by allowing tourists to truly see nature,” Mr Prasit concluded.