Thailand has cancelled the visa of a Swiss man after he reportedly kicked a local woman while she was sitting on the stairs near his villa in Phuket.
Urs Fehr and his Thai wife Kanuennit said they thought she was trespassing on their property. They later apologized.
Hundreds of angry locals gathered outside the seaside villa late Sunday to demand Mr Fehr’s ouster.It is estimated that more than 100,000 foreigners have settled in Phuket.
This island is one of Thailand’s most popular hotspots, visited by millions of tourists every year.
According to local reports, the incident took place on February 24, when Fehr, 45, the manager of an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, attacked Thandao Chandam on the back as he and his friend sat on the steps outside his home.
Kanunnit is also said to have insulted Than Dao, who works as a doctor in Phuket.
Mr Fehr stated that he believed Mr Tandao and his companion to be trespassers and accused them of trespassing on his property.
According to the Bangkok Post, he also claimed that he did not kick Mr. Than Dao, but that he slipped while walking towards him.
The incident caused an angry backlash among local residents.
Many called on authorities to cancel Fehr’s visa and restore public access to the beach near his property.”It turns out that foreigners are occupying too much territory. Please solve the problem,” the Bangkok Post quoted one protester as saying.
A subsequent investigation revealed that the villa’s staircase had been illegally built on public land. Authorities ordered their removal.
The doctor filed a police report about the incident, and authorities announced Wednesday that he has been charged with assault.
Immigration authorities said they intend to arrest Fehr, but he may remain in Thailand for the time being to protect himself in the assault case.
Prime Minister Sureta Thavisin said after the incident that she had ordered the police and the Ministry of Tourism to step up measures to ensure that foreigners comply with Thai laws.