Assault acquittal of Swiss national in Phuket goes to appeal

Legal veteran Nipit Intarasombut will represent a female Thai doctor in the Appeals Court, following the Phuket Provincial Court’s acquittal of a Swiss man charged with assaulting her.

Writing on his Facebook page yesterday, Nipit said "The doctor met me and provided details about what happened that day, as well as the court proceedings that led to the acquittal."

Nipit, an eight-time MP for the Democrat Party, said he sympathises with the doctor and agreed to represent her in the Appeals Court.

File photo: Nipit Intarasombat

Many people were surprised by the court’s decision to acquit the Swiss man, identified only as David, and the topic has sparked heated debate on social media in Thailand.

The incident occurred on February 24 at a pool villa on Yamu Beach in Phuket.

The Swiss occupant of the house was accused of kicking the back of Dr Tharndao Chandam, after finding her sitting on the steps leading up to his compound. The incident caused an uproar among locals, who demanded the ouster of the Swiss national from Phuket and the revocation of his visa.

It also led to an investigation into whether the luxurious housing estate was encroaching on public land.