PHUKET, Sept 4 (TNA) A Phuket court has acquitted a Swiss man in a high-profile assault case involving a woman Thai doctor.
Dr. Thandao Chandam, a practising physician, filed a complaint in February alleging that a Swiss man kicked her in the back while sitting with a friend on steps leading down to the beach outside his rented villa. The steps to the beach were later found to be illegally built onto the beach and were subsequently demolished.
Despite the Phuket Provincial Administration ordering the Immigration Bureau to revoke the foreigner’s visa, the accused appealed the decision.
In a court hearing on Tuesday, the Phuket Kwaeng Court ruled in favor of the defendant, giving the benefit of doubt.
Following the court’s verdict, Dr. Thandao’s father, a well-known southern Thai author declined to comment further, saying the family, including the legal team, will review the judgment in detail over the next few days before determining next steps.
Meanwhile, the issue of land encroachment on public beaches, particularly in the Yamu area, has also come under scrutiny following the alleged assault case. The incident sparked outrage among local residents and raised questions about the status of public beaches on the island.
Local authorities have ordered the removal of illegal structures on the beach, but concerns remain about the legality of land ownership in the area. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is investigating allegations of land fraud involving a 42-acre plot in the Yamu area. The NACC is expected to conclude its investigation soon. -819 (TNA)
