Crime Swiss National 'David' Sentenced to Jail for Assaulting Thai Doctor in Phuket

[webfact]

File photo

In a dramatic turn of events, the Phuket Court of Appeal has reversed a previous ruling, sentencing a Swiss national to one month in prison without probation for assaulting a doctor.

 

The case involved Dr Tanradao Jandam, known as Dr Pai, who accused Urs 'David' Fehr, a Swiss citizen and owner of a Phuket elephant park, of kicking her in the back and hurling abusive language at her.

 

The incident occurred on 24th February 2024 while Dr Pai was seated on the steps of a luxury villa at Yamu Beach, in the Pa Khlok area of Thalang District, Phuket.

 

Initially, the Phuket Provincial Court dismissed the charges on 3rd September 2024, citing reasonable doubt in favour of the defendant. Following this decision, Dr Pai’s lawyer, Nipit Intrasombat, lodged an appeal.

 

In the latest development, the Court of Appeal has found the defendant guilty under Article 391 of the Thai Criminal Code, recognising the severity of the assault and imposing a one-month custodial sentence without allowing for a suspended sentence.

 

Mr Nipit expressed his gratitude to all involved in the case, including the investigators, prosecutors, court officials, original and defence lawyers, acknowledging their dedication.

 

He emphasised that the differing views in the case were purely based on factual and legal grounds, not personal animosity.

 

The verdict is a vindication for Dr Pai, who persevered with patience and fortitude to seek justice. Mr Nipit noted that he undertook the appeal without charging for travel, airfare, documentation, or legal fees, understanding the sentiments of Dr Pai, the people of Phuket, and all Thais regarding this case.

 

Reports indicate the defendant has fled the country despite the court's arrest warrant.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2025-05-23

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Wow! Did he get a full month! That´s tough. Poor little Urs. However, He has already done a Thaksin.

[KhunBENQ]

goodbye forever please!

[save the frogs]

he owns an elephant park? that's an ambitious project. 

but yeah, slap him on the wrist. horrible incident. 

 

[khunPer]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Reports indicate the defendant has fled the country despite the court's arrest warrant.

[LivingNThailand]

The headline says he was jailed.  He was sentenced, not jailed. He did not show up for the court hearing and is basically in contempt of court.  Another article says he was sentenced to prison, but then further on, it says he was jailed.  Two very different things. 

 

Probably left the country way before the first hearing.  I hope they deport him in absentia.   Lots of people here in Phuket said he was bad news.  And don't forget he blocked an ambulance in traffic a few months before the kick.  

 

Good riddance.  

[ChrisY1]

The HiSo of Thailand, cannot lose.....!

[John Drake]

Extradite him and tack on another year for fleeing arrest.

[TimBKK]

Tired of seeing this mug’s face and wish this story would just go away.  The guy is clearly a d*****b** but it is the height of hypocrisy that this case was pursued so vigorously when there are any number of far, far more egregious cases/conduct that get brushed aside without a second thought.  

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Reports indicate the defendant has fled the country despite the court's arrest warrant.

So what?

He wouldn't come back, would he?

A lot of paperwork....justice done😂

[spidermike007]

Absolutely wonderful news, he richly deserves this fate, and hopefully he'll make a lot of very good friends who will treat him with a great deal of warmth and affection. 

[ryandb]

18 hours ago, save the frogs said:

he owns an elephant park? that's an ambitious project. 

but yeah, slap him on the wrist. horrible incident. 

 

 

It's a great way to scam money from good hearted people donating, like most animal charities/sanctuaries these days, massive villa on the beach in Phuket is a testament of this

[Taboo2]

I guess all those flowers and fake apologies did not work.  Wonder how much brown envelopes was also scammed from him.  Next time, please do not give ambulance drivers the finger.  F Ing More Run.

[J Branche]

Enjoy the lovely accomodations.  I hope your cell mates will give you a friendly welcome once word gets around what you did.

[arick]

Can be return and get a VIP room at the hospital. For the month ?

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, ryandb said:

 

It's a great way to scam money from good hearted people donating, like most animal charities/sanctuaries these days, massive villa on the beach in Phuket is a testament of this

 

Another guy who hates rich people.

He needed to invest his savings to open it, didn't he? He had to take risks with his money, no?

The animals are "retired" and need support, no?

Maybe he's overcharging? But you conclude it's a scam because you're jealous that he owns a villa?

 

[hotchilli]

Idiot lost everything he built up over something he should have avoided.

[mikeymike100]

10 minutes ago, ryandb said:

 

It's a great way to scam money from good hearted people donating, like most animal charities/sanctuaries these days, massive villa on the beach in Phuket is a testament of this

You have evidence its a scam?

[renaissanc]

Urs, you made a big mistake by fleeing the country. When or if you return to take care of your financial affairs you will have to go to jail for maybe a year. Whoever you ask to sell all your possessions will cheat you wholeheartedly. You may lose millions. Just because,  like Thaksin, you're above going to jail?

[kiwikeith]

16 hours ago, khunPer said:

New charges may be coming 

Abandoning Elephants and abandoning the country 

Looks like he won't be back 

Nice pic of him 

 

[Moneyhonour]

He probably regret that kick for the rest of his life. He was living like a King in Thailand with his elephants scam. He and his wife were wiping in the stain instead of giving remorse to the doctor. I think he will never come back to Thailand. I wonder what wifey will do?

[Snackbar]

Happened to him it could happen to you

 

 

[NICKMONDO1]

18 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Wow! Did he get a full month! That´s tough. Poor little Urs. However, He has already done a Thaksin.

 

18 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Wow! Did he get a full month! That´s tough. Poor little Urs. However, He has already done a Thaksin.

you get 3.5 years for a tweet in the hell hole that is the UK.  

[Moneyhonour]

5 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

You have evidence its a scam?

The Villa at the Beach?

[renaissanc]

All he needed to do in the first place was to create a barrier in front of the steps to stop people sitting there. If he really did slip, he only needed to apologize profusely and there would have been no arrest or court case or jail time. I wonder if he'll learn from this experience.  

[Moneyhonour]

5 minutes ago, Snackbar said:

Happened to him it could happen to you

 

 

Absolutely true. Whenever visiting a house, place or country, act like a visitor/guest and not as a bully to the Host or natives

[impulse]

19 minutes ago, renaissanc said:

Urs, you made a big mistake by fleeing the country. When or if you return to take care of your financial affairs you will have to go to jail for maybe a year. Whoever you ask to sell all your possessions will cheat you wholeheartedly. You may lose millions. Just because,  like Thaksin, you're above going to jail?

 

He could have just as easily been sentenced to 20 years.  He made the smart move. 

 

[ronster]

So he's basically shot himself in the foot for fleeing the country. 😂

Oh well goodbye elephant park as he will be erased from the ownership I'm sure due to being a criminal on the run .

 

[mrmicbkktxl]

if he would be thai citizen,1000bt fine for big missunderstanding

[Shocked farang]

I'm happy for the elephants that may get a decent life in a sanctuary after being exploited by this a**hole.