Pol Col Parinya Klinkesorn, representing the Immigration Bureau, announced on Thursday that Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 6 responsible for immigration matters in southern provinces, had authorized the revocation of Urs “David” Fehr’s visa. The decision came after the Phuket Immigration Office proposed the revocation.
Earlier, the Phuket provincial administration urged Phuket Immigration authorities to consider revoking Fehr’s visa. Fehr, a 45-year-old managing director of Elephant Sanctuary Park Co operating an elephant park in Phuket, faced scrutiny following allegations of assault by Dr. Thandao Chandam, a 26-year-old doctor at Dibuk Hospital. Thandao claimed she was kicked in the back by Fehr on the night of February 24 while sitting on steps at Yamu Beach in Thalang district.
Thandao decided to come forward and report the alleged assault after Fehr’s Thai wife purportedly mentioned a close association with senior Phuket police officers during the incident. Fehr and his wife later apologized, stating they mistook Thandao and her friend for Chinese tourists who frequently encroach on their property.
In light of the public outcry, the Phuket governor proposed that immigration authorities revoke Fehr’s long-stay visa, citing concerns that he posed a threat to societal peace and order.
Parinya confirmed that Division 6 concurred with the Phuket Immigration Office and provincial administration’s assessment of Fehr’s behavior as detrimental to societal peace and order. Subsequently, immigration officers will detain Fehr at the Phuket Immigration Office pending deportation.
Parinya also noted that Fehr could request temporary release to contest the assault charges filed by Thandao.
The revelation by Thandao incited local residents, who organized a sizable gathering on the beach in front of Fehr’s villa, symbolically referred to as a “picnic.”
The incident reignited demands from many Thais for strict enforcement of laws prohibiting private ownership of beaches and ensuring universal access to beaches across the country.
