Thai officials have revoked the visa of a Swiss man living in Phuket after reports emerged he allegedly kicked a local woman for sitting on the steps near his rented villa. On Wednesday (Mar 6) he was also charged with assault. Thai officials were forced to intervene amid growing backlash over the case.&nbsp;

<h2>What we know about the alleged incident</h2>

The Swiss man was identified as Urs Fehr, a 45-year-old managing director of an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, according to local media reports. Fehr and his Thai wife Khanuengnit said they thought that Dr Thandao Chandam, 26, was intruding on their property and later apologised.&nbsp;

The incident took place on February 24, when Dr Thandao was allegedly kicked by Fehr in her back when she and her friend were sitting on the steps outside their rented villa.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/six-indians-in-bangkok-arrested-for-allegedly-trafficking-red-panda-86-other-wild-animals-697549">Six Indians in Bangkok arrested for allegedly trafficking Red Panda, 86 other wild animals</a>

The Swiss man later claimed that he did not intentionally kick the 26-year-old and slipped while approaching her, reported Bangkok Post. However, the incident sparked outrage among the locals with many calling on Thai officials to revoke Fehr’s visa.&nbsp;

The local media reported that the officials later found out that the steps which Dr Thandao and her friend were sitting on were built illegally on public land and have since ordered their removal.

<h2>Thailand revokes Fehr’s visa</h2>

Amid reports about the incident and the backlash that followed Thailand’s immigration bureau&nbsp;revoked Fehr’s visa, reported Bangkok Post, on Thursday (Mar 7). This was after the immigration officials deemed the Swiss man’s behaviour a ‘threat to social peace.’

Phuket police chief Sinlert Sukhum on Wednesday said that the 45-year-old has also been charged with physical and mental assault after the doctor’s complaint and that the police are still investigating the incident.&nbsp;

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-charged-for-helping-fans-illegally-enter-taylor-swift-concert-in-singapore-697612">&nbsp;Two charged for helping fans illegally enter Taylor Swift concert in Singapore</a>

The Swiss man, on Thursday, was also charged and fined&nbsp;for a road rage incident against an ambulance driver in December 2023.&nbsp;

The police and immigration officials said they would detain Fehr but he can remain in Thailand for now to defend himself in the assault case.&nbsp;

The incident has sparked outrage across the country, with&nbsp;one of the protesters saying “foreigners are occupying too many areas,” reported&nbsp;the Bangkok Post.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Thai officials have revoked the visa of a Swiss man living in Phuket after reports emerged he allegedly kicked a local woman for sitting on the steps near his rented villa.

Thai officials have revoked the visa of a Swiss man living in Phuket after reports emerged he allegedly kicked a local woman for sitting on the steps near his rented villa. On Wednesday (Mar 6) he was also charged with assault. Thai officials were forced to intervene amid growing backlash over the case. What we know about the alleged incident The Swiss man was identified as Urs Fehr, a 45-year-old managing director of an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, according to local media reports. Fehr and his Thai wife Khanuengnit said they thought that Dr Thandao Chandam, 26, was intruding on their property and later apologised. The incident took place on February 24, when Dr Thandao was allegedly kicked by Fehr in her back when she and her friend were sitting on the steps outside their rented villa. Also Read | Six Indians in Bangkok arrested for allegedly trafficking Red Panda, 86 other wild animals The Swiss man later claimed that he did not intentionally kick the 26-year-old and slipped while approaching her, reported Bangkok Post. However, the incident sparked outrage among the locals with many calling on Thai officials to revoke Fehr’s visa. The local media reported that the officials later found out that the steps which Dr Thandao and her friend were sitting on were built illegally on public land and have since ordered their removal. Thailand revokes Fehr’s visa Amid reports about the incident and the backlash that followed Thailand’s immigration bureau revoked Fehr’s visa, reported Bangkok Post, on Thursday (Mar 7). This was after the immigration officials deemed the Swiss man’s behaviour a ‘threat to social peace.’ Phuket police chief Sinlert Sukhum on Wednesday said that the 45-year-old has also been charged with physical and mental assault after the doctor’s complaint and that the police are still investigating the incident. Also Read | Two charged for helping fans illegally enter Taylor Swift concert in Singapore The Swiss man, on Thursday, was also charged and fined for a road rage incident against an ambulance driver in December 2023. The police and immigration officials said they would detain Fehr but he can remain in Thailand for now to defend himself in the assault case. The incident has sparked outrage across the country, with one of the protesters saying “foreigners are occupying too many areas,” reported the Bangkok Post. (With inputs from agencies)

Thailand revokes visa of Swiss man, charges him with assault for ‘kicking’ local woman

Thailand is witnessing the worst flood in 30 years. Parts of the town in southern Thailand witnessed high-levels of water after unprecedented rain that bought life to halt.

WION Climate Tracker: Thailand deals with destruction caused by floods

phuket-thailand

Phuket Thailand, News on Phuket Thailand, stories on Phuket Thailand, articles on Phuket Thailand, Phuket Thailand stories at Wion, Phuket Thailand news, Phuket Thailand latest news

phuket thailand

Thailand revokes visa of Swiss man, charges him with assault for ‘kicking’ local woman

WION Climate Tracker: Thailand deals with destruction caused by floods