Phuket officials want Swiss man’s visa revoked

Phuket deputy governor Sattha Thongkham chairs a meeting held to discuss the controversy surrounding a Swiss businessman facing an assault charge after an incident near his rented beachside villa. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)
Phuket deputy governor Sattha Thongkham chairs a meeting held to discuss the controversy surrounding a Swiss businessman facing an assault charge after an incident near his rented beachside villa. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)

Phuket authorities have asked immigration police to revoke the visa of a Swiss national accused of assaulting a woman he thought was trespassing on his property.

Deputy governor Sattha Thongkham asked the Phuket immigration chief to consider revoking the visa of Urs Fehr.

Mr Fehr has become notorious since video emerged of him appearing to kick a woman while she and her friend sat on steps near Yamu beach in front of the luxury villa he rented. He thought the pair were trespassing but authorities later found the steps were on public land. They were demolished on Tuesday.

Thandao Chandam, 26, a doctor at Dibuk Hospital in Phuket, filed an assault complaint against Mr Fehr. He and his wife made a public apology for their actions but they continue to be the targets of a torrent of criticism.

According to a letter drafted by Mr Sattha and his colleagues, provincial authorities have concluded that the Swiss man posed a danger to society or could cause harm affecting the peace and order of the people, judging from his behaviour.

Mr Sattha said officials had compiled evidence to forward to the Phuket immigration office to revoke Mr Fehr’s visa, which is set to expire on March 13.

However, he could be granted an extension to remain in the country until his court case is dealt with, after which Immigration would review his visa status again, according to another Phuket deputy governor.

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Vocabulary

  • assault: attacking someone violently - การทำร้ายร่างกาย
  • behaviour: the way that someone acts or behaves - พฤติกรรม, การกระทำตัว
  • compile: to collect information from different places and arrange it in a book, report or list - รวบรวม
  • complaint: when someone says that something is wrong or not satisfactory - การร้องเรียน
  • criticism: comments that show that you think something is wrong or bad - การวิจารณ์
  • demolish: to completely destroy a building, especially in order to use the land for something else - รื้อ (สิ่งก่อสร้าง), ทำลาย
  • deputy: a person whose rank is immediately below that of the leader of an organisation - รอง
  • extension: making a period of time longer - การขยายออกไป
  • governor: a person who is chosen to be in charge of the government of a state or province or a government agency - ผู้ว่าการรัฐ, ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด
  • notorious: famous for something bad - ซึ่งมีชื่อเสียงในทางไม่ดี
  • revoke: to officially say that something is no longer legal - เพิกถอน
  • society (noun): people in general, living together in communities - สังคม
  • torrent (noun): a large amount of water flowing rapidly and violently; a large of amount of something that is suddenly released - กระแสน้ำเชี่ยว,การไหลพุ่
  • trespass: to go onto someone's land or enter their building without permission - บุกรุก,รุกล้ำ
  • visa: an official document or mark in your passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time - วีซ่า, เอกสารอนุมัติที่ประทับตราบนหนังสือเดินทาง
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