Enough evidence to convict black panther hunters: former national park chief

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Enough evidence to convict black panther hunters: former national park chief

By The Nation

 

 

A key figure in the high profile “black panther” poaching case Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn took the stand on Thursday during the court hearing against construction mogul Premchai Karnasuta and three other accomplices.

Chaiwat, former chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservationspecial task force Phaya Sua or King of Tigers, said there was sufficient evidence that Premchai and his party had materials and weapons for poaching and skinning protected animals in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in February. 

 

He also said there was enough evidence to prove the animals had been killed on February 3, even though Premchai’s lawyer insists the accused was not at the park when forest rangers raided the camp. 

 

Premchai, president of Italian-Thai Development Company, did not attend the hearing yesterday, with court permission, due to health and business issues. The rest of the defendants – Yong Dodkrua, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat, who are believed to be Premchai’s driver, chef and hunter respectively – were present. 

 

Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary chief Wichian Chinwong, who led the arrest on February 4 and found the carcasses of protected animals including that of a black panther, was also present at court.

 

In February 2018, Wichien and the rangers found Premchai and his party in the prohibited areas with weapons, cooking materials and animal carcasses close to their camp. The carcasses included a black panther, which had been skinned to the bone, a Kalij pheasant and a barking deer. 

 

The four defendants face six charges: carrying firearms in public, wildlife poaching, killing protected wildlife, possessing wild animal’s carcass, hiding or receiving illegal carcasses, and harvesting products from the forest without permission.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30360342

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-13

[Oziex1]

Basically he was caught red handed, not that it will necessarily lead to a conviction and even if sentenced to prison, he may never get around to doing time.

A Black Leopard may have to stand in for him.

[yellowboat]

12 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

In February 2018, Wichien and the rangers found Premchai and his party in the prohibited areas with weapons, cooking materials and animal carcasses close to their camp. The carcasses included a black panther, which had been skinned to the bone, a Kalij pheasant and a barking deer. 

 

Just a big misunderstanding.  Happens all the time.  And the only person who can explain is too sick or busy to attend his own trial.   Guessing the mogul will pay a fine and see little or no jail time, as he will undoubtedly be too sick and busy. 

[Burma Bill]

I hope he is convicted for poaching and killing endangered species. Like the Loei gold mining result, it will be another victory against big business (in this case ItalThai) and those who think they are above the law! Now Red Bull.

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

I hope he is convicted for poaching and killing endangered species. Like the Loei gold mining result, it will be another victory against big business (in this case ItalThai) and those who think they are above the law! Now Red Bull.

Yes I agree 100% but I doubt it will happen.....money talks loudly here

[LazySlipper]

15 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Enough evidence to convict black panther hunters

 

These guys... they are redefining the definition of enough.

 

"Enough: cooking materials and animal carcasses close to their camp. The carcasses included a black panther, which had been skinned to the bone, a Kalij pheasant and a barking deer. "...

 

I will hurry to submit this new definition to Webster and Oxford dictionaries...

Edited December 14, 2018 by LazySlipper

[neeray]

Gee, the same excuse for not attending court last time, "Premchai, president of Italian-Thai Development Company, did not attend the hearing yesterday, with court permission, due to health and business issues"

I find it most interesting that he was well enough and could take time from work to go and hunt/kill defenseless animals with a big gun but not well enough to attend court for doing same.

Real, manly accountability !!!

[nahkit]

16 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Premchai’s lawyer insists the accused was not at the park when forest rangers raided the camp

So who's that sitting down in the picture?

[billd766]

17 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

Basically he was caught red handed, not that it will necessarily lead to a conviction and even if sentenced to prison, he may never get around to doing time.

A Black Leopard may have to stand in for him.

Are there any still left alive I wonder?

[chama]

Get this man an envelope...quick! Or make him disappear!