Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has firmly dismissed the possibility of reconsidering the visa revocation of a Swiss national, Urs Fehr, also known as David, who is accused of assaulting a Thai woman in Phuket. The decision was confirmed during Anutin’s visit to Si Sa Ket province this week.
The Immigration Bureau had officially canceled Fehr’s visa on the grounds that he posed a threat to society, a decision that came into effect with the signature of Pol Maj Gen Songprote Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 6.
Fehr, 45, who serves as the managing director of Elephant Sanctuary Park Co, is charged with physically and mentally assaulting Dr Thandao Chandam, a doctor at Dibuk Hospital, on February 24 near his villa in Thalang district. Despite the charges, Fehr is permitted to remain in Thailand on bail to face the legal proceedings in court, though Anutin has stated that the outcome of the court case will have no bearing on the visa revocation.
The incident has not only drawn attention to Fehr’s actions but has also ignited protests related to the ownership and accessibility of public beaches in Phuket. A protest occurred last week when approximately 300 residents demonstrated against Cape Nga Development Co., accusing the company of blocking public access to Nga Beach. (NNT)
