Swiss national opts for jail after assaulting Thai woman in mall

[webfact]

 

A 62 year old Swiss national who physically assaulted a local Thai woman in a mall, chose to remain in custody despite an offer of bail from his former Thai spouse. The Trang Provincial Court had set his bail at 50,000 baht (US$1,406), which his ex-wife was willing to pay.

 

However, the Swiss man, Dieter Matthias Straumann, rejected her assistance and expressed a desire to stay in jail. He further showed resistance by refusing to liaise with the Swiss embassy or his family.

 

Yesterday, the Tourist Police reported this incident, stating that in the event of Straumann’s temporary release during prosecution, they have asked immigration authorities to prevent him from leaving Thailand.

The suspect has been uncooperative, refusing to respond to police questioning or sign any document recognising the charges against him. He faces serious allegations of causing severe physical injury and disobedience towards officials due to his lack of cooperation.

The local police obtained a court order for his 12-day detention on Wednesday.

 

Straumann is accused of assaulting Natchanan Khikkham, a 58 year old woman, at a Big C store in the Mueang district. The assault occurred when Khikkham asked Straumann to be polite, leading to him pushing her and repeatedly punching her. Khikkham sustained a broken nose, swollen eyes and back, and had difficulty breathing as a result of the attack.

 

Kritpong Khikkham, the victim’s son, expressed the family’s intention to pursue all possible legal avenues against Straumann. He stated that Straumann had pressed his knee onto his mother’s neck and punched her approximately 20 times, indicating that an attempted murder charge should also be considered. His mother’s medical condition would require four to six weeks of treatment, as per a doctor’s assessment.

 

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the need for strict law enforcement in this case, given that a citizen was subjected to maltreatment. He voiced his concern over Straumann’s presence in Thailand.

 

“We do not want such a person in Thailand because he poses a danger to society, and he already used violence and injured another.”

 

Anutin further raised the question of revoking Straumann’s visa, reported Bangkok Post.

 

In related news, the Immigration Bureau revoked the visa of a Swiss man involved in assaulting a female Thai doctor in Phuket. He faced legal action and public backlash, leading to visa cancellation.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Thairath

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-08

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[JGon]

Another one... soon the media will keep pushing this narrative and we "farangs" will be stereotype for a few bad apples (if this isn't already happening).

[zakalwe]

Not so much as pushing as publishing.

[mokwit]

5 minutes ago, JGon said:

Another one... soon the media will keep pushing this narrative and we "farangs" will be stereotype for a few bad apples (if this isn't already happening).

Laying the groundwork for visa tightening?

[Happy happy]

Yes, another one...but what is wrong with some of these people?

It's just going to make it worse for we other foreigners living here in Thailand.

[JGon]

The media nowadays is the best tool to influence the populace and  slowly mold them to whatever the controlling agency wants. I detest mainstream media be western or any country... it's too influenced by the top. Lots are waking up to this and are ignoring it in the western world... but here lol my Thai wife listens to it like it's gospel...  

[metisdead]

A post with trolling videos contravening our Community Standards has been removed.

[Korat Kiwi]

Witch burning is a classic Python skit. 

 

I think this guy is going to be hung up in manacles tho... maybe the right way up if he's lucky

[Negita43]

21 minutes ago, JGon said:

Another one... soon the media will keep pushing this narrative and we "farangs" will be stereotype for a few bad apples (if this isn't already happening).

I am afraid it is the way of the world that bad actors (not only violent ones) cause issues for law abiding citizens - look at all the money laundering "regulations" which affect you and me a lot more than the money launderers - look at the call to stop demonstrations against this or that because some participants get involved in violence. Many times Government's responses to bad actors only serve to punish lawful citiizens  (and I believe lead to more disenchantment with those that supposedly are there to represent us law abiding citizens - and incidentally that is what some bad actors at the state level want - it surely is a "rock and a hard place" for democracy.

[Tarteso]

A coward Macho man with “HIS” wife;

 

 

 

[sirineou]

34 minutes ago, JGon said:

Another one... soon the media will keep pushing this narrative and we "farangs" will be stereotype for a few bad apples (if this isn't already happening).

These Thai people, what are we going to do with them? Why can they  be philoxenos and  tolerant like we are towards foreigners in our countries.   

 

Notice how I managed to work the word "Philoxenos"  in there?

Dude I have been dying to use that word ever since I  got to the Ps on the dictionary  but the opportunity neve presented itself.

Apologies but when will  I ever get the chance again? 

[worgeordie]

This guy must be a complete idiot ,would rather stay in jail ,than to be

bailed out by his ex wife , ....must fancy a little holiday ,with free board.

 

regards worgeordie

[Dolf]

6 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

This guy must be a complete idiot ,would rather stay in jail ,than to be

bailed out by his ex wife , ....must fancy a little holiday ,with free board.

 

regards worgeordie

Serious depression. Hits a woman 20 times then chooses jail.

[Sheryl]

9 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

This guy must be a complete idiot ,would rather stay in jail ,than to be

bailed out by his ex wife , ....must fancy a little holiday ,with free board.

 

regards worgeordie

From description more than idiocy is involved.

 

Significant mental problems. 

[IvorBiggun2]

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

From description more than idiocy is involved.

 

Significant mental problems. 

May be that's his intention. Make people believe he is unhinged.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Another Expat who is burnt toast and about to be deported.

 

[Negita43]

Maybe looking for an insanity plea?

[Korat Kiwi]

36 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

This guy must be a complete idiot ,would rather stay in jail ,than to be

bailed out by his ex wife , ....must fancy a little holiday ,with free board.

 

regards worgeordie

I can't believe an Ex wife would bail him out...

 

I would have thought she'd be dancing on the ceiling in delight that he's locked up. 

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, Tarteso said:

A coward Macho man with “HIS” wife;

 

 

 

 

What are you dribbling about, that aint his wife.

[Korat Kiwi]

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

 

What are you dribbling about, that aint his wife.

I think he's got his blogs mixed up... 

 

  He's thinking about the other Swiss idiot at the Elephant sanctuary 

[Modern Coding]

Has he caused much bigger troubles back home, so that he prefers to stay in Thai jail??

[Hakuna Matata]

OMG, what a shame on him and his so called "Thai Wife"! He may be kept in the Thai prison for 5 years until he dies there or is paroled by the King. What do you think?

[Hakuna Matata]

45 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Another Expat who is burnt toast and about to be deported.

 

 

Only after he has served 5 years in jail in Thailand!

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, Tarteso said:

A coward Macho man with “HIS” wife;

 

 

 

 

  It isn't his wife. He attacked a total stranger. His EX-wife offered to post bail for him.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Straumann is accused of assaulting Natchanan Khikkham, a 58 year old woman, at a Big C store in the Mueang district. The assault occurred when Khikkham asked Straumann to be polite, leading to him pushing her and repeatedly punching her. Khikkham sustained a broken nose, swollen eyes and back, and had difficulty breathing as a result of the attack.

A moments madness he will regret doing... show hi the exit door.

[SpanishExpat]

Way too many scumbags are still living here! A mix a toxic, mentally ill and depressed guys. 
 

Don’t know why Thailand attracts that special kind of human being, but that’s it. 
 

Happy to live my normal life here with decent western friends and avoiding trouble-makers.

Edited March 8 by SpanishExpat

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the need for strict law enforcement in this case, given that a citizen was subjected to maltreatment. He voiced his concern over Straumann’s presence in Thailand.

 

“We do not want such a person in Thailand because he poses a danger to society, and he already used violence and injured another.”

 

Anutin further raised the question of revoking Straumann’s visa, reported Bangkok Post

 

I have never liked or agreed with Anutin on any matter, but on this one, put him in jail, let the son at him with a baseball bat, while suing the fkr for medical costs and compensation, that is, if he has anything to his name and then deport him after 5 years once monies have been received.

[sandrew33]

This bloke clearly has issues and one cannot condone this type of behaviour. Anutin getting all high and mighty about it is entirely understandable. 
 

Of course Anutin also sits in the government ministry with a convicted heroin dealer. So obviously his support the law and his horror at the harm done by criminals only extends so far. 

[Iron Tongue]

If he has managed to stay out of trouble for so long before this sudden burst of violence and illogical behavior, I suspect that something may be happening to him psychologically.  Dementia, Alzheimer's, perhaps even a mini-stroke changing how his brain is wired.

[wealthychef]

5 minutes ago, SpanishExpat said:

Way too much scumbags are still living here! A mix a toxic, mentally ill and depressed guys. 
 

Don’t know why Thailand attracts that special kind of human being, but that’s it. 

 

I think it's because it's cheap and easy to live here, and people of the type you mention (some are female btw) are unable to hold a job or get up in the morning or interact with their own cultures so they take refuge here.