Fehr was called to answer a formal complaint of assault yesterday (Mar 1). Although the initial summons was for him to present himself at Thalang Police Station, the conference was moved to Phuket Provincial Hall due to the widespread publicity the incident has gained.
Presiding over the public conference was Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, joined by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum. Also present was Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Phasakorn Sonthikul and Pol Lt Col Ekkachai Siri, Inspector of Tourist Police Division 3.
Fehr was joined by his wife, Mrs Khaningnit, or ‘Sai’, and his lawyer, who translated for Fehr when needed.
Vice Governor Adul opened the proceedings by assuring that the issue did not involve any “foreign mafia” or “influential people”.
“Regarding the issue that has been released in the media that there is a mafia in Phuket and there are foreigners coming to stay and owning public land, the Governor is strict in this matter. Let the administration and police carry out their duties according to their authority. This includes investigating restaurants operated by foreigners,” he said.
“As for the issue of Thai dignity, Thai people living in Phuket or elsewhere in Thailand must have the same honour and dignity as fellow humans,” V/Gov Adul added..
THE OTHER SIDE
Mrs Khaningnit, referring to her husband Fehr as ‘David’, explained that before the incident on Feb 24, a Chinese tourist had entered the grounds and broke into his rented villa, causing a fright. At that time, her husband was not home, so he informed the owner of the villa project.
This time, Fehr thought that it might be the same group that had broken into the villa, so he grabbed his phone and ran out to take pictures. He stumbled and injured his toe. Fehr held up a photo of his injured toe as evidence.
Fehr went to see a doctor who can confirm that the injury was caused by tripping on the night of the incident, Mrs Khaningnit said.
Both Fehr and his wife apologised for the incident, saying there was no intention to harm the doctor.
Mrs Khaningnit said she was sleeping at the time, and was still drowsy when her husband woke her to tell her of the incident.
“I did not not intend to disrespect the doctor in any way, but that It’s true that I know a large police officer, but on that day I called and had him notify a patrol police officer to come,” she said.
“My son is actually a police officer, but he only has the rank of police sergeant, not a major rank,” she added.
For the matter of running the foundation This is called Green elephant wildlife, formerly known as the Green Elephant Foundation.
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Suthee Sirianan, head of the Phuket Department of Provincial administration (DOPA) office said that officials had looked into operations of the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park.
The office was originally registered as in Cherng Talay, but Mrs Khaningnit has later changed the registered office address to Pa Khlok, he explained.
“Later, the name of the foundation was changed, the word wildlife was added, and the location was changed from Cherng Talay. It is now Pa Khlok, which is believed to be the office of the elephant camp,” he said.
A change of the foundation committee was registered. “Originally, the person who applied for foundation registration was his wife, before changing directors and adding wildlife,” Mr Suthee said.
“We have checked that the [elephant park] objectives are being met; it is helping elephants,” he added.
“However, as for the operations of the elephant camp, it should be operated in the form of a company,” Mr Suthee noted.