Phuket–
The Appeal Court Region 8 has overturned a lower court ruling, sentencing Swiss national David, the owner of an elephant camp in Phuket, to one month in prison without suspension. The case, which has garnered widespread attention, stems from an incident in February 2024, in which David was accused of physically assaulting Dr. Taradaw Chandam, known as “Dr. Pai.”
The incident occurred at a luxury villa on Yamu Beach in Phuket, where Dr. Pai alleged that David kicked her in the back and shouted profanities while she was sitting on the villa’s steps. Initially, the Phuket Provincial Court dismissed the case on September 3, 2024, citing reasonable doubt in favor of the defendant. However, Dr. Pai’s legal team, led by attorney Nipit Intrasombat, filed an appeal, arguing that the attack constituted serious bodily harm.
Our last update:
On May 23, 2025, the Appeal Court Region 8 ruled in favor of the plaintiff, finding David guilty under Section 391 of Thailand’s Criminal Code. The court deemed his actions severe enough to warrant a custodial sentence without suspension. Notably, David did not appear in court for the ruling, and reports indicate that he may have fled the country to evade incarceration.
Attorney Nipit, who took on the appeal case without charging any legal fees, stated his commitment to justice, stating, “We (David and plaintiff) are not enemies, but we simply differ in our interpretation of the facts and legal principles. I commend Dr. Pai for her resilience and determination in pursuing justice.”
As authorities seek to locate the convicted foreigner, the case has sparked discussions on legal accountability for expatriates and foreign nationals residing in Thailand.
