Report Swiss Man Faces Arrest in Phuket Over Alleged Assault on Thai Doctor

[snoop1130]

Photo: Thai News Room

 

An arrest warrant has been issued for Urs Fehr, a 46-year-old Swiss national, following his failure to attend a scheduled court hearing in Phuket. The hearing concerns an alleged assault case involving Dr. Thandao Chandam, who claims Fehr kicked her in February of last year.

 

The incident reportedly occurred on the night of February 24, while Dr. Thandao, affiliated with Dibuk Hospital, was seated on the stairs leading from Fehr's villa to Cape Yamu beach. She alleges that Fehr, also known as David, assaulted her as she was peacefully watching the moon.

 

Initially, the Court of First Instance dismissed the case against Fehr. However, Mr. Nipit Intarasombat, representing the prosecution, along with public prosecutors, have sought to challenge this decision by filing an appeal. The Phuket Provincial Court was due to deliver the Region 8 Appeals Court's verdict. Yet, due to Fehr's absence, the court has issued an arrest warrant with the hearing deferred until May 23, 2025.

 

 

 

Dr. Thandao has maintained a reserved approach, opting not to discuss the incident further when contacted by media. Details of the altercation remain sparse, with Dr. Thandao having provided minimal public commentary on the matter.

 

The case highlights tensions within the expatriate community in Phuket and raises questions about the legal proceedings for foreigners in Thailand. The ongoing appeal demonstrates the determination of local authorities to pursue the case more vigorously, seeking to address the alleged assault.

 

As the hearing is postponed, Fehr's absence leaves a shadow over the proceedings, with steps now in motion to secure his presence in court. The situation continues to draw media attention, focusing on both the legal implications and the personal impact on those involved.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai News Room

 

-- 2025-04-21

 

 

[chuang]

AWOL..

[Dmitry2222]

run Forrest run 

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, Dmitry2222 said:

run Forrest run 

He had plenty of time for that.

[Baz Erckens]

Geez, this is alleged a kick? Normally, that's just a 500-baht fine.
Funny how the law starts to bend when it's a battle between the rich and the influential over who's right.

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, Baz Erckens said:

Geez, this is alleged a kick? Normally, that's just a 500-baht fine.
Funny how the law starts to bend when it's a battle between the rich and the influential over who's right.

 

Whatever happens to this guy is the same pathway that can be used against any foreigner who slightly annoys any Thai person.

I am watching this case very closely.

The guy may have been a complete moron but lets sit back and watch them steal all of his assets until he's broke and then kick him out of the country. Even the Interior Minister - Anutin announced he wants him out - such extrajudicial punishment.

 

If Phuket was a toilet someone is about to press the flush button.

[zakalwe]

31 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Whatever happens to this guy is the same pathway that can be used against any foreigner who slightly annoys any Thai person.

I am watching this case very closely.

The guy may have been a complete moron but lets sit back and watch them steal all of his assets until he's broke and then kick him out of the country. Even the Interior Minister - Anutin announced he wants him out - such extrajudicial punishment.

 

If Phuket was a toilet someone is about to press the flush button.

Well, any rich foreigner. The Thais want to keep milking this Swiss cow.

[Iron Tongue]

53 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Whatever happens to this guy is the same pathway that can be used against any foreigner who slightly annoys any Thai person.

You think?

So the accusation that he kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach because she was sitting on a stairway would happen to every foreigner in Thailand?

[norsurin]

I really hope this moron get deported and blacklisted for some years.

[blaze master]

Thailands fd up. 

[ukrules]

4 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

You think?

Yes, I do. How about you?

[roo860]

4 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

You think?

So the accusation that he kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach because she was sitting on a stairway would happen to every foreigner in Thailand?

Didn't he allegedly slip and kicked her, making contact with her back?

[ChrisY1]

If a hi-so takes a foreigner to court over some minor issue that may have offended the person.....the foreigner will not win. This case is an example....and Mr Swiss will not be allowed to win!

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

Whatever happens to this guy is the same pathway that can be used against any foreigner who slightly annoys any Thai person.

I am watching this case very closely.

The guy may have been a complete moron but lets sit back and watch them steal all of his assets until he's broke and then kick him out of the country. Even the Interior Minister - Anutin announced he wants him out - such extrajudicial punishment.

 

If Phuket was a toilet someone is about to press the flush button.

Yes, you do that. It good for you. It will teach you that you cannot come to Thailand and kick the locals on a part of a public beach area. That´s also why they are pursuing the case. If you on the other hand behave respectful and show kindness and love for the country you live in, you have nothing to fear.

[SAFETY FIRST]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, you do that. It good for you. It will teach you that you cannot come to Thailand and kick the locals on a part of a public beach area. That´s also why they are pursuing the case. If you on the other hand behave respectful and show kindness and love for the country you live in, you have nothing to fear.

Well said Gottfrid. 👍

 

 

[sammieuk1]

Where the Urs Fehr are ya?🤔

[stevenl]

13 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

If a hi-so takes a foreigner to court over some minor issue that may have offended the person.....the foreigner will not win. This case is an example....and Mr Swiss will not be allowed to win!

He has already won. This is an appeal. Many things wrong with this guy.

[Ctkong]

8 hours ago, Baz Erckens said:

Geez, this is alleged a kick? Normally, that's just a 500-baht fine.
Funny how the law starts to bend when it's a battle between the rich and the influential over who's right.

It is not the strength of the kick that matters. It is the way the other party was treated especially when the kicker is the foreigner . I think there is Thai face factor involved  too. Maybe even a feeling of nationalism ? The Thai person is a doctor too. A profession that is held high in Thai culture. I believe the outcome would have been different if the doctor is just some everyday Thai person like a beach vendor, garbage recycler or a person of a lower social status. 

[Peterphuket]

6 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

Whatever happens to this guy is the same pathway that can be used against any foreigner who slightly annoys any Thai person.

I am watching this case very closely.

The guy may have been a complete moron but lets sit back and watch them steal all of his assets until he's broke and then kick him out of the country. Even the Interior Minister - Anutin announced he wants him out - such extrajudicial punishment.

 

If Phuket was a toilet someone is about to press the flush button.

"If Phuket was a toilet someone is about to press the flush button."

 

Am I glad I left that area long ago.
Otherwise, I too would be flushed.

 

And when it was really washed away, with the tsunami, I was fortunately on the boat.

 

 

[NemoH]

He probably already knows the verdict... 😄

[ronster]

Did they ever look into his elephant sanctuary and how he was affording a million bht a month rent for his house 🤔🙄

[spidermike007]

8 hours ago, Baz Erckens said:

Geez, this is alleged a kick? Normally, that's just a 500-baht fine.
Funny how the law starts to bend when it's a battle between the rich and the influential over who's right.

Well, I this case the rich guy is the arrogant freak, and the one who is right is the lady doctor. 

 

I would love to see him serve some time. That would be fun. 

[Robbkk]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

He has already won. This is an appeal. Many things wrong with this guy.

 

Yep, I can't believe I'm still reading about this over one year later. The doctor was sitting on the stairs of his property. He was egged on by his Thai wife to get her out. He shouldn't have kicked and later apologized.

 

The doctor seems determined to get him deported over this minor offence. The man has a family in Thailand and owns a business that employs many locals. Time to let it go. 

[Dr. Zorg]

It's a circus. The details of the case are blurred by now. Was she pregnant? Was it a full blown kick? or was it a nudge with his foot to her back?

 

[loong]

5 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

You think?

So the accusation that he kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach because she was sitting on a stairway would happen to every foreigner in Thailand?

 

This was long time ago, so I may not remember all details correctly, but I thought that he allegedly kicked her in the back, not the stomach.

Also, I don't remember any report that she was pregnant at the time.

[Destiny1990]

Why do we need to what her job is? Was she injured? Any hospital bill,? Nothing ok no case..real proof of him actually kicking her? None of it all.

[klauskunkel]

1 minute ago, Robbkk said:

The doctor was sitting on the stairs of his property.

Not quite correct. It turned out that the property owner had encroached on public land by building the steps the doctor sat on. This came to light during the investigation.

[Jack Hammer]

I perceive this Swiss guy as a complete self entitled arrogant person. Would not give away to an ambulance. Irrespective of what social standing those two ladies were, who were sitting on his steps. He had no right to go down and assault them either intentionally or unintentionally and verbally abuse them with foul language.   He used the excuse that his home  had been broken into before, but no evidence has ever been produced.  He’s elephant sanctuary is only a ruse to fill his bank account.  He could not give a hoot about the welfare of elephants just as long as the money keeps rolling in

[maxcorrigan]

 Wonder what happened to the other Swiss man who beat up a woman in a suermarket around about the same time as this Swiss elephant owner?

[Kerryd]

Yeah - he had the stairs built - but they were on PUBLIC property (and supposedly were removed by the city afterwards).

And wasn't it recorded that he (and his wife) verbally abused the woman BEFORE kicking her ?

For the crime of sitting on "his" (illegaly built) steps.

In front of his million baht/month rented villa, where he lives while running an "elephant sanctuary" and acting like a mobster.

Kind of makes you wonder of the locals have even considered contacting the Swiss authorities to see if he's "known" to them.