Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham confirmed the move at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Mar 5) at the meeting of the task force set up by Governor Sophon Suwannarat to review any bad behaviour of foreigners and take corrective action.
Present as members of the task force committee were R/Adm Admiral Tinnakorn Kanchanatemee, Deputy Director of of the Phuket branch of ISOC (Internal Security Operations Command, which serves as the political arm of the Thai military); Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum; and Phuket Immigration Chief Pol Col Kriangkrai Ariyaying.
Vice Governor Sattha said the committee had submitted the request along with documents detailing the Swiss expat’s behaviour, with a focus on him allegedly kicking a woman doctor for trespassing on his property.
“At this time, officials have gathered evidence and submitted it to the Phuket Immigration Office to request the revocation of an alien’s permission to stay in the Kingdom,” Vice Governor Sattha said.
“If the results of the criminal trial are received, additional information will be sent for consideration by the subcommittee,” he added.
Fehr has been charged with assault for the incident, but has denied the allegation.
Fehr’s current permit to stay will expire next Wednesday (Mar 13), V/Gov Sattha confirmed.
Officials are continuing their investigations into the elephant park operated by Fehr, and its status as a foundation, V/Gov Sattha noted.
The steps in front of Fehr’s rented luxury villa at Yamu Beach where the woman doctor and her friend were sitting when the incident occurred were destroyed yesterday as they were deemed to be on public land.