The prosecution decides to indict Premchai and three hunting partners on six counts of charge

[snoop1130]

The prosecution decides to indict Premchai and three hunting partners on six counts of charge

 

 

The 7th region public prosecution has decided to indict Italian-Thai Development boss PremchaiKarnasuta and three other members of the hunting group on six counts of charges out of 10 counts of charge filed by the police.

 

Mrs Somsri Wattanapaisarn, director-general of the 7th region public prosecution, told a press conference today (Wednesday) that a panel of prosecutors handing the illegal hunting case agreed to indict Premchai and his three hunting members on the charges of illegal hunting in the Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary; illegal hunting of protected species; illegal possession of carcasses of protected species; concealing of illegally acquired carcasses; illegal collection of forest products in national forest reserves; and carrying firearms in public without a permit and without good reasons.

 

The four other charges which were dropped by the prosecution are:  illegal possession of firearms and ammunition; illegal entry to wildlife sanctuary; bringing into the wildlife sanctuary equipment for use in illegal hunting without prior permission; attempting to hunt wildlife without permission; and unreasonably treating animals with brutality.

 

• Premchai allegedly vows to “give anything” if forestry officials let him go
• Wildlife department to demand 12 million baht in compensation from Premchai instead of 3 million baht
• Premchai denies he killed black panther
• Premchai and driver turn themselves in to police to face bribery charge

 

Full Story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prosecution-decides-indict-premchai-three-hunting-partners-six-counts-charge/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-4-4

[ratcatcher]

The petty cash account at ITD is about to take a hit.

[z42]

Utterly pathetic. He was caught bang to rights, and his repeated denials should be used against him when he applies for bail after being convicted and sentenced.

The prosecutors must understand that the population are furious and won't accept any BS here, the guilt is absolutely iron clad.

 

Will they care though, very likely not. 

[GBW]

So for 460K you can replace a dead Panther? Hmmmm..........  

[Tilacme]

Bt100,000,000 penalty ear marked for wildlife conservation. 

[rebo]

36 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The prosecution has also decided to claim 460,000 baht in compensation from Premchai for the killing of the black panther, she said, adding that the compensation was based on the price of the same animal quoted by Chiang Mai night safari back in 2006.

To compare a panther grown up and being able to survive in the wilderness with a brain dead zombie panther from CM Night Safari shows the complete lack of any understanding of wildlife protection.

[JOC]

36 minutes ago, Tilacme said:

Bt100,000,000 penalty ear marked for wildlife conservation. 

Absolute nonsense....

He allegedly killed a cat.....not commit genocide...

 

But as usual when someone wealthy is involved, the hate-the-rich posters come out from underneath their bridges.

I presume, he has no prior convictions...so a suspended sentence and a big fine (whatever the prosecution demand) should settle this matter.

End of story....

[Tilacme]

10 minutes ago, JOC said:

Absolute nonsense....

He allegedly killed a cat.....not commit genocide...

 

But as usual when someone wealthy is involved, the hate-the-rich posters come out from underneath their bridges.

I presume, he has no prior convictions...so a suspended sentence and a big fine (whatever the prosecution demand) should settle this matter.

End of story....

Actually he used his wealth to the detriment of endangers species in Thailand and beyond, he is a slaughter of important species and needs to be taught a lesson.

[metisdead]

A troll post containing an offensive as well as disallowed reference to the government has been removed. 

 

Off topic posts about the mushroom picking/illegal logging case have been removed. 

Edited April 4, 2018 by metisdead

[GBW]

33 minutes ago, JOC said:

They were actually jailed for illegal logging.......not picking mushrooms.....

Agree and noted. Encroaching/logging in a National Park would have an effect on wildlife. Sentences reduced, yes. Charged and hauled off within 3 weeks? Premchai has blatantly gone in and killed endangered animal/s, forget the logging, just kill the animals for your entertainment!  Then spend $ because he can to draw the case out.... Look, we all know whats gonna happen here, but dont think I have come out from under my rock to defame the rich. I only think that justice should be equal, But here in the LOS, it is not.  $= whatever..........................  

[yellowboat]

It is a pretty limp wristed punishment.   Couple of weeks in jail and four million Baht fine would have been more satisfying.   We should be grateful that the rangers, social media and the press were able to bring him to justice some sort of justice. 

[LomSak27]

3 hours ago, z42 said:

The prosecutors must understand that the population are furious and won't accept any BS here, the guilt is absolutely iron clad.

Strange I have not heard one Thai, friend or acquaintance, mention this case at all, except for giggles when it first was reported.       "The population is furious"   ...  keep the chatter rolling and maybe someone will believe. If not, hey it's a job right.               

[GBW]

Strange, because I have more than one Thai friend and or aquaintance that would disagree .....  Yes they all had a 'Giggle'when I mentioned it, but we have followed this case and its not about shooting a <deleted> Leopard, its about $... noted my crew said, forget it, it wont happen, charge this guy? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!....   So the only 'Giggles'are that I am wrong in believing in justice equality.       I ask them, if I was a poor, hungry farmer? they say , you would be in jail now awaiting a life stretch...........   

[webfact]

Six charges finalised against ITD boss

By Suriya Patatayo, 
Saichon Srinuanchan 
The Nation 

 

File photo

 

THREE MONTHS after Italian-Thai Construction president Premchai Karnasuta was arrested in a wildlife sanctuary where the butchered fresh meat of an endangered black leopard was found, public prosecutors have resolved to lay six charges against him.
 

Prosecutors will also seek a compensation of Bt462,000 from Premchai and his three companions who were arrested in Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in Kanchanaburi province on February 4, said Somsri Wattanapaisarn, director-general of the regional public prosecutors department. The charges against Premchai are punishable by up to 29 years in jail and fines of not more than Bt350,000.

 

 

The billionaire’s arrest in the wildlife sanctuary angered the public partly because his company, which is listed on the stock market and has built several mega-projects for government agencies, has stated policies to protect the environment, natural resources and wildlife.

 

Wildlife officers found a pot on a fire at his campsite containing a black leopard tail. Hidden in the nearby bush was the butchered fresh meat of the big cat as well as of a kalij pheasant and a wild boar. Many public groups have launched campaigns against Premchai, highlighting the fate of the leopard and vowing it would not die in vain. 

 

 

Somsri told a press conference that three other suspects arrested along with Premchai will be charged differently.

 

Yong Dotekrau, who is Premchai’s close aide, will be charged with a total of seven counts, six of them similar to those of Premchai and an additional one of having in his possession guns and ammunition without a permit. Natee Ruengsang, a long-time cook of Premchai, was charged with five counts, including possessing guns and ammunition; while Thanee Thommart, the driver, would be charged on eight counts.

 

Somsri said that the prosecutors decided to seek compensation of Bt462,000 from the four suspects on behalf of the National Parks, Widlife and Plants Department according to the National Reserve Act.

 

She confirmed that prosecutors would also file a civil lawsuit against Premchai for allegedly damaging the environment, and would seek compensation of Bt12.7 million from the billionaire.

 

Meanwhile, chief investigator Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul said that anti-corruption officers had sent a corruption charge against Premchai to public prosecutors yesterday, and they were ready to investigate further if the prosecutors wanted more information. 

 

Premchai was alleged to have attempted to bribe the officials who arrested him at his campsite in exchange for his freedom. Police claim that he offered “whatever they needed” to let him go free.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30342487

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-05

[webfact]

Prosecutors Drop 5 Charges Against Premchai

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

 

 

BANGKOK — Nearly half of the charges filed against a powerful mogul accused of poaching protected wildlife in a sanctuary were dropped Wednesday.

 

Regional prosecutors dropped five of 11 charges including animal cruelty filed against Italian-Thai Development President Premchai Karnasuta, but will seek to prosecute him on the other six counts.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/crime-crime/2018/04/04/prosecutors-drop-5-charges-against-premchai/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-04-05

[webfact]

Police disagree with the prosecutor’s indictment of only six charges against Premchai

By Thai PBS

 

 

Police will submit its objection against the public prosecution’s decision to indict Italian-Thai Development boss Premchai Karnasuta and three hunting partners of six counts of charge instead of nine counts as recommended by the police, said Pol Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, the deputy national police chief, on Wednesday (April 4).

 

He said the police wanted the four accused to be indicted with nine counts of charge except for the charge of cruelty against animals and illegal possession of firearms which were earlier dropped by the police.

 

However, he noted that it was the discretion of the prosecution in charge of the case to decide to press ahead with six counts of charge to the court or to add three more counts of charge as recommended by the police.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-disagree-prosecutors-indictment-six-charges-premchai/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-04-05

[webfact]

Thailand to indict construction tycoon for wildlife poaching

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Prosecutors said on Wednesday they are seeking to indict the president of Thailand's largest construction company for poaching wildlife, a case that has raised concern about impunity for the rich and powerful.

 

Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development Pcl, and three others were arrested in the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi province in early February.

 

Several carcasses of protected animals including a black Indochinese leopard were found near their jungle campsite.

Premchai originally faced 11 charges filed by police in February.

 

But public prosecutors said on Wednesday they had dropped some and he now faced six including hunting protected species, hunting in a sanctuary, possessing carcasses of protected animals and hiding illegally obtained carcasses, they said.

 

Premchai and the three accomplices could face jail and hefty fines if found guilty.

 

Premchai was not available for comment.

 

He has said little in public about the case but told reporters soon after his arrest that he had been on holiday in the sanctuary. He later said he believed he was innocent.

 

His lawyer, Withoon Yamprai, declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

 

"I have not received all of the information," Withoon said.

 

The case has attracted extensive media coverage and suspicion among environmental activists that Premchai would not be properly investigated because of his status and wealth.

 

Democracy activists have posted images of a black leopard on social media, and it has even been daubed on walls, to draw attention to what they see as unfair privilege in society.

 

Thailand has a poor record in protecting its forests and wildlife from illegal exploitation, environmentalists say.

 

Prosecutors said their indictment request had been forwarded to police and it would proceed to a provincial court if there were no objections.

 

The attorney-general will make a final decision on the case if police object.

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panarat Thepgumpanat Additional reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-05

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

THREE MONTHS after Italian-Thai Construction president Premchai Karnasuta was arrested in a wildlife sanctuary where the butchered fresh meat of an endangered black leopard was found, public prosecutors have resolved to lay six charges against him.

that was as long as they could wait for illicit money

[YetAnother]

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK — Nearly half of the charges filed against a powerful mogul accused of poaching protected wildlife in a sanctuary were dropped Wednesday.

the thai version of the law, as shown in the photo, smiles all around; suspended sentence, fine the amount of which  he likely carries around in his pocket

[Get Real]

Soon they drop the others too.

[PatOngo]

Will be interesting to see how much the get out of jail card costs!

[khwaibah]

Big money and corruption wins again in LOS.

[neeray]

Can’t quite figure out why anybody would “giggle”. What, because they cooked the animal’s penis?

[tracker1]

Whats this crap Colluding the only colluding seems to be with the authorities !

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Regional prosecutors dropped five of 11 charges including animal cruelty filed against Italian-Thai Development President Premchai Karnasuta, but will seek to prosecute him on the other six counts.

Regional prosecutors received 5 envelopes and are currently waiting for another 6 envelopes to arrive.

[ChrisY1]

Did anyone ever doubt the outcome?

Once the fact of who fired the shots came up about 3 or 4 weeks ago, Premchai had his out!

A fine example of Thailands biased justice system...condoned by those at the top...pathetic doesn't really do it!

 

[thaiguzzi]

The cook did it.

The maid did it.

The driver did it.

Mr P found innocent....

[hathairat2711]

This is Thailand, not India.

 

Surely Premchai and party wouldn't receive a similar sentence, or would they?

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43652304?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central

 

An Indian court has sentenced Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to five years in jail for poaching rare antelope back in 1998.

Edited April 5, 2018 by hathairat2711

[LomSak27]

9 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Did anyone ever doubt the outcome?

Once the fact of who fired the shots came up about 3 or 4 weeks ago, Premchai had his out!

A fine example of Thailands biased justice system...condoned by those at the top...pathetic doesn't really do it

This has somegthing to do with wildlife?? and who shot??

 

This has everything to do with attacking Ital Thai and their contracts and nothing to do with poaching. Big money from big people paid the police and forestry officials who arrested him and continues to grease the skids.

This is about business. If it wasn't he never would have been arrested in the first place.