Lt Col Anukul confirmed the charge yesterday (Mar 2) while inspecting the concrete steps at Yamu Beach where the incident took place.
Joining Lt Col Anukul for the inspection were Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Pol Maj Gen Saranyu Chamnanrat, Thalang Police Chief Pol Col Nikorn Chuthong and Pol Lt Col Patithi Yodkhwan, chief of the Investigation division at Thalang Police
The senior ranking officers pointed out that notices had been posted at the site confirming that the steps, located in front of Fehr’s rented luxury villa, were on public land and were to be demolished within 30 days of the announcement, marked as Feb 29.
Pol Maj Gen Saranyu Chamnanrat, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8, said the incident and the widespread reports on national news and social media had spurred concern.
“The police have acted correctly and fairly on both sides,” he said.
Regarding the concrete steps on public land, Maj Gen Saranyu said that the local municipality had filed a formal complaint with police in order to pursue legal action. However, he did not confirm whether Fehr or the villa developer was deemed responsible for having the concrete steps built on state land.
Lt Col Anukul confirmed that Fehr had been charged with "assaulting another person causing injury".
Fehr has denied the charge, he added.
At a public conference at Phuket Provincial Hall on Friday (Mar 1), Fehr claimed that he stubbed his toe while approaching the woman doctor and her friend, causing him to ’slip’ and his foot to make contact with the doctor’s back.
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Local villager Supachai Tamang said the practice of barring regular citizens from enjoying the beach at Yamu was a long-standing “secret practice”.
Villagers will gather at the beach today to stage a peaceful protest against the practice, he said.
“Not many people except the locals knew about it,” he said.
Now with widespread news coverage of the Fehr incident, people all over Thailand were aware of the problem, and gave their emotional support, Mr Supachai said.
“From now on it is no longer their own private beach because everyone knows the atmosphere around here is quiet. Pa Khlok, our home, is very quiet,” he said.
Meanwhile, visitors have come to have their photo taken while sitting on the now-famous concrete steps.
Rattakant Teerabenjakul said that he had come to the beach after hearing about the incident on Thai news channels.
“The foreigner was very bad with his actions… No matter what gender, age, every class, every nation has the right to freedom, the right to come and visit Thailand, our country. Thai people have beautiful hearts that welcome them,” he added.