Public anger boils over in protests in Phuket against Swiss man Mr Uli and private beaches

[charleskerins]

3 minutes ago, recom273 said:

One wonders if it was a well-heeled and connected Thai hi-so that lived in that villa that kicked a westerner who was “moon watching” if we would be reading a different story. 
 

Thailand - hub of mobs - the only thing is, I never hear of a mob outside the villas of any of the real criminals of this country. 

Get your hearing checked    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020–2021_Thai_protests

[Ben Zioner]

8 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

They willingly play rugby.   Ummm  a misdemeanor is a crime.   

Get educated mate..

[webfact]

Swiss man targeted by Phuket locals demanding beach access restoration
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Phuket Info Centre

 

A Swiss man living in Phuket has been the target of a protest by over 500 locals and activists who gathered on Yamu beach in Thalang district. The protest took place on Sunday, following an incident in which the Swiss man allegedly assaulted a doctor. The masses demanded that the man be expelled from Phuket and that public access to the beach, where the assault reportedly took place, be restored.

 

The 45 year old Swiss man in question, Urs Fehr, also known as David, allegedly assaulted Tharndao Chandam, a 26 year old doctor at Dibuk Hospital in Phuket. The assault purportedly occurred on the evening of February 24, while the doctor and a friend were moon-watching on steps leading to the beach in Tambon Pa Khlok.

 

These steps, located in front of the villa where Fehr resides with his Thai wife, were found to be illegally built and encroaching on public land, leading to an order for their removal by the Thalang district office, reported Bangkok Post.

According to the demonstrators, the beach steps have become a popular spot for selfies since the incident. They chanted “Get out, David,” and sang the national anthem. Some were carrying Thai national flags while others were snapping pictures.

Locals are demanding the return of Yamu Beach to the public. Somboon Sampaorat, 58 years old from Tambon Pa Khlok, pointed out that in the past people could walk along the beach.

 

“After foreign developers arrived and housing estates went up, access was restricted.”

 

Somboon mentioned that these housing estates replaced a forest covering between 300-400 rai, once home to wild deer and a source of forest products for locals.

 

Suchart Jorasakul, a 56 year old man from Tambon Koh Kaew, and his friends joined the protest to demand clear demarcation of private properties from public areas. Activists from the People Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) also joined, raising banners demanding authorities return public access to beaches.

 

Phuket police chief Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum stated that officials would consider redlisting or revoking visas of foreigners who break the law in Phuket. National police chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol ordered an investigation into the alleged assault and also into alleged misconduct by local police in Phuket.

 

Government response

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned foreigners living in Thailand to abide by the law or face visa revocations. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also instructed the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to step up measures to ensure foreigners comply with the laws.

 

Despite the initial charge of assault against Fehr, an initial probe found no cause to revoke his visa. A complaint was also filed against Phuket Peninsula Estate Co Ltd, which manages the villa project, for encroaching on public land, and it has been ordered to dismantle the steps within 30 days.

 

Meanwhile, local authorities including livestock officials inspected the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park run by the couple and found it had permits to possess all the 15 animals in the compound.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-04

 

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[SomNaNa555]

BLACKLIST HIM NOW!!!

[bbko]

3 hours ago, Ironmike said:

a scumbag alleged to of kicked a women there's no markings on her body and no video as proof only her word

You know there's a video of the incident right?

https://www.facebook.com/61556715937605/videos/422809223529464/

[brianthainess]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

on a Thai female doctor on February 24th. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (insetright) called for peace and harmony.

 

37 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

She is not an official doctor yet... she has not finished her study

So the PM is lying?  

[crazykopite]

Any man who hits a woman is nothing short of a sewer rat yes Thailand is different as I have heard many woman say they have been hit by the thai husband but that does not excuse this guy from hitting a woman not related to him the only punishment is to deport him back to his home country his thai wife is free to go with him as the Swiss will give her a visa 

[charleskerins]

40 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

Get educated mate.

I have been  -you seem confused .      "crimes are usually classified as either felonies or misdemeanors"   In the US   felonies are punishable by a year or more in prison.  

[PJ71]

If Thai on Thai this does not even make the news?

[recom273]

49 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

Get your hearing checked    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020–2021_Thai_protests

Don’t you know the difference between a political demonstration and a mob? 

[watgate]

I am sure the Swiss man and his thai wife/gf are torn up over this unfortunate incident detracting from caring for their elephants at their sanctuary. 

[charleskerins]

46 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

There is also a chance had it been even a 'poor' Thai man or men they would have shot the pair of them.

Just saying.

 

This disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition, though necessary both to establish and to maintain the distinction of ranks and the order of society, is, at the same time, the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments. (TMS I.iii.3.1)

Adam Smith

[Bday Prang]

56 minutes ago, bbko said:

You know there's a video of the incident right?

https://www.facebook.com/61556715937605/videos/422809223529464/

The video shows absolutely nothing, except the use of some strong language which the women probably could not understand,  Have you even actually watched it?  If so please enlighten us as to the exact point the assault takes place.  Did he allegedly assault the woman on the left or the woman on the right, I have now watched it dozens of times, also in slow motion and I would say there is absolutely no evidence of any "assault"      Come on prove me wrong, I'm not saying he behaved correctly and I am not disputing any claims the woman is making, but I am saying there is no evidence to back up her claims on that video

[Nip]

5 hours ago, geisha said:

Frankly, Thailand and especially Phuket deserves a big clean up. Whether Thai or foreign construction companies/ investors, Phuket and its once paradise beaches are being destroyed. Too many crooks , thieves and scammers , druggies and good for nothings. Ugly cheaply built condos everywhere, and Villa ghettos.  They have had free range, if ever a crackdown was needed , it’s now , and it’s on Phuket.  Local authorities, government , do the right thing, do your job. 

Everything you say is correct but Phuket has been like this for over 20 years. Nothing has or will change. 

[steven100]

41 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

If Thai on Thai this does not even make the news?

 

yes ... typical thai reaction,  they always want to hang the farang,  but they don't mind cheating them for house, car and money,  it's a game to them.

 

 

[Bday Prang]

55 minutes ago, Ajarnbrian said:

Arrogant, entitled, misbehaving foreigners should be deported. The vast majority of normal, respectful, well behaved foreigners surely do not want to be associated with the alleged behaviour of this Swiss man.

I'd like to think the vast majority of normal, reasonable , people regardless of their nationality would not be so quick to join a baying mob of internet vigilantes based on very very flimsy evidence.  Truly astonishing behaviour, although not unexpected from the permanently angry "netizens" which a few on here are starting to become

[SymS]

What's the law converning beachfront properties? Which part of the beach actually belongs to the owner... I suppose it does not just stop at the water line 🙂

[prakhonchai nick]

1 hour ago, crazykopite said:

Any man who hits a woman is nothing short of a sewer rat yes Thailand is different as I have heard many woman say they have been hit by the thai husband but that does not excuse this guy from hitting a woman not related to him the only punishment is to deport him back to his home country his thai wife is free to go with him as the Swiss will give her a visa 

Evidence of assault is required

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, A.N. Other said:

So they’ve ruled out revoking his visa. Obviously money has changed hands🤨

So you saw a baying mob and decided to join in with a predictable newbie comment,   have you considered the possibility that having "seen" the complete lack of any evidence of an assault, the powers that be realise it is a little unrealistic to attempt to deport him, for merely the use of some strong "foreign " language.   A concept that the hang em high brigade on here seem unable to grasp

 

[mancub]

6 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Swiss guy is an evil person, he's got a history of no good. 

 

 

A foreign man pointed at the rescue vehicle with his middle finger

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/03/03/a-swiss-man-who-kicked-a-phuket-doctor-has-another-dispute-with-an-ambulance-driver/

 

Thai wife is seemingly no better. 

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, Ajarnbrian said:

Arrogant, entitled, misbehaving foreigners should be deported. The vast majority of normal, respectful, well behaved foreigners surely do not want to be associated with the alleged behaviour of this Swiss man.

Are you seriously suggesting that people should be deported for being "arrogant"    In that case they would do well to start with   people who use a word like "ajarn" in their user name.  Who on earth told you that would be a good Idea, 

[Bday Prang]

I would say in this case that a "Wai" and 500 bt would be a perfectly appropriate conclusion, at least it would have been before any media involvement and the congregation of a baying mob

[smedly]

5 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Kicking harmless people in their back is not acceptable under any circumstances. Personally I would like to see this Swiss thug deported, but he apparently has the means to buy his way out of the situation he has created. The fact is his behaviour is bad news for the reputation of all  Westerners living in Thailand.

100% agree

[Bday Prang]

So she apparently is not a "doctor" but is studying,  so that effectively makes her a student does it not,  I am not saying that makes his behaviour towards her acceptable but embellishing her status will certainly help in encouraging outrage amongst the usual netizens, not that they need any encouragement

[Bundooman]

6 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

That's exactly what the british said in 1773 at the Boston tea party... 

That's also exactly what the Americans said in 1973 at the US Embassy in Saigon as they pulled out and left the S. Vietnamese to suffer the consequences of a lost cause.

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, charleskerins said:

WtH does this have to do with the subject at hand?  Thai  woman in UK sells drugs ,Swiss man in Thailand assaults woman -?  

It has to do with the way the bloodthirsty Thais are vilifying foreigners for this one guy, banning him, deporting him, blacklisting him.

 

Let's tar and feather him, eh?

 

I wish they made as much fuss about important issues, such as the stolen election, but no, that's above their thinking power.

 

I am saying they need to look at how many of them behave when they are abroad, you would think the way they carry on it was a nation of Snow White virgins.

[couchpotato]

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

I would say in this case that a "Wai" and 500 bt would be a perfectly appropriate conclusion, at least it would have been before any media involvement and the congregation of a baying mob

Totally agree, but in this case the 'entitled foreigner' and his wife took the high road and refused to apologise and actually asked her to apologise...so within hours after his antics the s__t hit the fan and then he had no choice but to publicly grovel at City hall, but by that time the netizens had made it WW3, and now he will be scutinised in every orifice. Doubt if he'll be deported, but with the PM having taken an interest there will be some type of retribution.

[Hindy]

He should have kicked a falangs wife,then the Falange would have knocked fook out of him

and it would be all over

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

Meanwhile, local authorities including livestock officials inspected the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park run by the couple and found it had permits to possess all the 15 animals in the compound.

 

So the elephant sanctuary is 100% legal.

 

That will annoy many on here.

[jaywalker2]

6 hours ago, Frankie baby said:

Everything seems to have been blown out of all proportion?

Oh, you're trying to be reasonable? Good luck with that. First it was he kicked her as she sat on the steps, then it was he physically assaulted her, he violently assaulted her, his wife verbally abused her, his house is encroachiing on the beach (even though he's only renting it). 

 

What is there in this story that merits this kind of coverage? We have stories of Thais shooting at each other, killing their wives, raping their daughters and students, and it doesn't get this kind of public attention. I'm amazed. This guy has clearly become a scapegoat for the repressed anger the people in Phuket have for all the foreigners who've taken over their island. But whose fault is that?