The Phuket provincial administration has instructed all district officers to check the backgrounds and conduct of foreigners living on the resort island, including the Swiss man who allegedly assaulted a female Thai doctor, to ascertain whether they are members of extortion gangs or involved in organised crime.

Phuket Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong said today that Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an investigation of foreign criminal gangs in Phuket, following the incident last week when the Swiss man, identified only as David, allegedly assaulted a female Thai doctor for allegedly trespassing on his property on Yamu Beach, when she sat the staircase of his rented seaside villa.

He said that foreigners found to be involved in illegal activities in Phuket will have their visas revoked, be blacklisted and then deported.

The Swiss national, who is facing assault charges filed against him by the doctor, is having his visa and registration with a foundation caring for elephants checked by officials.

The man’s visa is due to expire on March 13th and immigration officials are yet to decide whether to extend it. It will depend on the outcome of the alleged assault case.

Regarding the staircase, which has been found to be partially encroaching on the public beach, the owner of the villa has been notified that they must dismantle the offending section of the staircase within 30 days.

Meanwhile, a self-styled anti-corruption group called “STONG”, posted a copy of the Nor Sor 3 Kor land certificate for nearly 17 hectares on Yamu beach in Thalang district, claiming that the certificate was issued by a land official who was dismissed for illegal issuance of certificates for land on Naka Noi Island six years ago.

Officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission are due to visit Phuket tomorrow, reportedly to investigate the certificates for land at Yamu Beach.