Premchai looking forward to 16 months jail time.
Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta the President of the Italian-Thai Development Company made major news when he was photographed in front of the remains of a black leopard. One of the most followed cases in Thailand’s legal system since the case took place has finally been judged today at the Thong Pha Phum Court.
Premchai was arrested on site with other members in the hunting group at the illegal campsite that they set up in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. The court sentenced Premchai to 16 months of jail time on the 19th of this month.
The 16 months of jail time comes from 3 convictions related to poaching charges. This includes illegal possession of a firearm and convictions in relation to the enabling of wildlife poaching. Although the court has ordered for Premchai to step in jail, the main conviction that all citizens are looking forward to hearing has in fact been acquitted. These are the charges relating to the poaching of the black panther, the same one with the remains in the photographs from the crime scene.
The other defendants belonging to Premchai’s group were convicted with the possession of black panther remains, while Premchai was convicted with the possession of Kalij Pheasant remains. There is still the case of ivory possession of the African Elephant waiting in the trial, the court is expected to come out with a verdict in June of this year.
Wichai Chinnawong, a ranger who was involved in the arrest of Premchai and the members of his group in the scene stated after the ruling that he respects the court decision and is satisfied with the verdicts. Wichai has become famous from the case in a good way where netizens look up to him for doing what’s right even if it is against a major tycoon such as Premchai.
FB Caption: Premchai has been acquitted with the charges relating to the poaching of the black panther, the same one with the remains in the photographs from the crime scene.
Source: Khaosod, Thansettakij
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