The news follows Governor Sophon chairing a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Saturday (Mar 9) joined by Ministry of Interior Deputy Permanent Secretary Chamnanwit Terat and Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum.
“The Phuket provincial hall through public prosecutors will ask a court to dissolve the elephant foundation," Mr Sophon said, reported the Bangkok Post.
The meeting on Saturday marked Governor Sophon’s first involvement in the Fehr case as he had been in Berlin promoting Phuket at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB Berlin 2024), a factor that annoyed Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Mr Chamnanwit had emphasised to the Governor Sophon to hurry to ensure that all issues related to the Fehr case “are resolved as quickly as possible”, said an official report of the meeting.
“Because the Minister of Interior is looking for the peace and order that will result to help tourism to recover quickly,” he said.
Regarding the request to dissolve the Green Elephant Wildlife Foundation, Governor Sophon said an investigation had been launched into the foundation and the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park in Cherng Talay operated by Fehr using the same logo.
“Clarification must be made within 30 days. If wrongdoing is found, legal action will be taken immediately,” Gov Sophon said.
Governor Sophon also confirmed that an investigation of the land where the Fehr incident occurred is underway. Steps at the site have already been demolished as they were found to be on public land, he said.
The Phuket News has been informed that steps in front of other villas at the luxury housing estate have also been removed.
Pa Khlok Municipality is continuing with legal action over encroachment on public land at Yamu Beach, Gov Sophon continued.
The Governor also confirmed that an order to revoke Fehr’s permit to stay had already been signed. However, Fehr will be allowed to remain in the country to appeal the charge of assault against him.
Fehr has been granted bail but is not permitted to leave Phuket and must report himself to authorities every 15 days.
The Thalang District Office has revoked gun licences for a rifle and a handgun held in possession by Fehr and the foundation, Gov Sophon also confirmed.
“And in the case of suspicion of money laundering, the DSI will come to investigate on Mar 15 (this Friday),” Gov Sophon said.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert at the meeting explained that police had arrested 33 foreigners in the past week in the ongoing crackdown on foreigners breaking laws in Phuket
Of those, 11 were Russian nationals and five were Myanmar nationals, he added.
The most common charge levied against the foreigners was working illegally, Maj Gen Sinlert said.