Phuket Kwaeng Court on Tuesday reportedly acquitted a Swiss man charged with assaulting a woman doctor who was sitting on steps leading to the beach outside his villa in February.
The court extended the benefit of the doubt to Urs Fehr, aged 45. Further details of the ruling were not disclosed.
Mr. Fehr faced allegations of kicking Dr. Thandao Chandam, aged 26, in the back. The incident occurred while she and a friend were seated on steps at Yamu beach, enjoying the full moon adjacent to his rented seaside villa in Thalang district on February 24.
Following the incident, the Swiss man and his Thai wife issued an apology. They believed Dr. Chandam was trespassing, and Mr. Fehr claimed to have slipped and unintentionally struck her as they approached.
Later investigations revealed that the steps leading to the beach were not part of the villa’s property and had been illegally constructed. Consequently, the steps were removed.
The incident triggered widespread outrage, receiving extensive coverage across both social and mainstream media.
Community members protested, demanding Mr. Fehr’s deportation, and immigration officials cancelled his visa, deeming him a societal threat. Mr. Fehr appealed the visa revocation.
Additionally, he was fined for a separate altercation involving a road rage incident with an ambulance driver, and his elephant foundation’s license came under scrutiny. Authorities also cancelled licenses for a pistol and a rifle registered to him and his foundation.
On Tuesday, Phuket Kwaeng Court found him not guilty in the case that caused the uproar.
Dr. Thandao’s father, Kasem Chandam, confirmed the court ruled in favor of the defendant. He mentioned his daughter was distressed by the decision.
Her legal team plans to obtain a complete copy of the court’s judgment within the next few days.
