Wildlife hunters must face justice

Local Hua Hin and regional Thailand news articles and discussion.
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Nereus
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Premchai, wife plead not guilty to ivory possession

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/ ... possession

Embattled construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, his wife and an associate pleaded not guilty to possession of two pairs of African elephant tusks, at the Criminal Court on Monday.

Mr Premchai, 64, his wife Khanitta, 64, and Wandee Somphum, 71, arrived at the court in the morning to lodge the plea in connection with the ivory tusks -- about a metre long and worth millions of baht -- seized from his residence in Bangkok in February.

They did not have to seek additional bail because they were previously granted bail of 300,000 baht each during an earlier court process.

Public prosecutors pressed charges against the three on April 11. They were charged with unauthorised possession of carcasses of protected wildlife, smuggling and concealment of the smuggled objects.

The three were at the court for about two hours. Afterwards Mr Premchai told reporters that he denied all charges, and that the court set a witness hearing for June 25. He also said that he was worried about the outcome of the case.

The tusk case followed authorities' search of Mr Premchai house on Soi Sun Wichai 3 in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, on Feb 7, where they discovered the tusks along with 43 guns and ammunition.

During a police interrogation, the three defendants said Mrs Khanitta had inherited the legally acquired tusks in 1987 and that she and Miss Wandee reported the possession to the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on April 15, 2015.

Mrs Khanitta said the tusks came from domestic elephants and Ms Wandee signed a document of assertion to that effect.

However, genetic testing found the ivory came from an African species, which cannot be registered under Thai law.

Mr Premchai and three others were first arrested on the night of Feb 4 for allegedly hunting animals in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site, in Kanchanaburi province. They were found in possession of the carcasses of protected animals, including a rare black leopard and its pelt.

The arrest led to numerous charges against Mr Premchai, president of Italian-Thai Development Plc, concerning poaching and the possession of firearms and the tusks.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Premchai indicted on bribery rap

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... ribery-rap

Public prosecutors indicted construction magnate Premchai Karnasuta and his associate on a charge of bribery Wednesday in connection with their alleged poaching in Kanchanaburi's Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in February.
The other suspect is Yong Dodkhruea.

The Criminal Court on the same day ordered the duo to testify before the court next Monday.

The move came after Wichian Chinnawong, the wildlife sanctuary chief who led a team to arrest Mr Premchai, lodged a petition with the Counter-Corruption Division (CCD) on Feb 8, urging the agency to pursue legal action against the tycoon and Mr Yong on a charge of colluding in bribing authorities which breaches the Criminal Code.

CCD investigators then wrapped up and forwarded the case to prosecutors at the Department of Corruption Litigation on March 30.

Mr Premchai, the 63-year-old president of the Italian-Thai Development Plc, Mr Yong, 65, and two other individuals were arrested on the night of Feb 4 for allegedly engaging in illegal hunting activities in the sanctuary, which is a Unesco World Heritage site.

The other two are Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat.
They were found in possession of several dead animals, including a rare black leopard and its pelt. Mr Premchai insisted he did not shoot the leopard and maintains his innocence.

The tycoon alone initially faced six charges.

They are carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, conspiring to hunt protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

The tycoon on Tuesday also pleaded not guilty in the Criminal Court to another charge concerning illegal possession of firearms after 43 firearms were found during a Feb 7 search of his home.

The Kanchanaburi Provincial Court on May 21 rescheduled an examination of evidence and witness lists in the illegal hunting case against the four until June 6 at the request of two defendants.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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This has dropped off the radar - does that mean they have quietly walked away from any prosecution?
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Dannie Boy wrote: Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:34 pm This has dropped off the radar - does that mean they have quietly walked away from any prosecution?
No, I read that the big boss, Premchai Karnasuta, goes to trial sometime in 2019. I forget the exact month but if I come across the article again I'll post. I think it was in the BKK Post last week sometime. Pete :cheers:
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Tycoon's trial on wildlife poaching charges begins

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... recent_box

KANCHANABURI: The trial of Italian-Thai Development president Premchai Karnasuta and three accomplices on wildlife poaching charges began in the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court on Tuesday.

Mr Premchai, his lawyer, and the three co-defendants arrived at the court around 8.30am.
They were arrested on the night of Feb 4 at their campsite in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site, in Kanchanaburi province.

The three co-defendants are Italian-Thai Development employees -- Yong Dodkhruea, Thanee Thummat and Ms Nathee Riamsaen.

They were found in possession of several dead animals, including the meat of a rare black leopard and its pelt. Mr Premchai insisted he did not shoot the leopard and maintains his innocence.

Mr Premchai, 63, did not respond to reporters' questions before going into the courtroom on the second floor.
Around 9.20am, Wichian Chinnawong, the Kanchanaburi wildlife sanctuary chief who led a team to arrest Mr Premchai, arrived at the court.

Mr Wichian said he was not heavy-hearted about the case and would do his best.

Shortly after, deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul showed up. He told reporters he was at the court as a witness for the prosecution.

Prosecutors have pressed six charges against the defendants. They are: carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has demanded the four defendants pay 12.75 million baht in compensation

Pol Gen Srivara was the first prosecution witness to testify, followed by Mr Wichian.
Emerging later from the courtroom, Pol Gen Srivara said he could not reveal any details.
However, he was confident the prosecution would bring the offenders to task as charged.

Mr Premchai and his co-defendants were still in the courtroom. The first day of the hearing was continuing.
The Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court will hear from 32 prosecution witnesses over 10 scheduled days -- Nov 27-30, Dec 6-7, Dec 11-13 and Dec 18. The court has scheduled six days to hear 17 defence witnesses -- Dec 19, 20, 21, 25, 26 and 27.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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I'd been wondering what the status was. Glad to see it in court but 2.75 million baht must be small change to this guy. Hopefully there is jail time included but TIT
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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migrant wrote: Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:56 pm I'd been wondering what the status was. Glad to see it in court but 2.75 million baht must be small change to this guy. Hopefully there is jail time included but TIT
Hmm, and I thought that you were a CPA. :shock:
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has demanded the four defendants pay 12.75 million baht in compensation
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Nereus wrote: Tue Nov 27, 2018 7:40 pm
migrant wrote: Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:56 pm I'd been wondering what the status was. Glad to see it in court but 2.75 million baht must be small change to this guy. Hopefully there is jail time included but TIT
Hmm, and I thought that you were a CPA. :shock:
No calculator with me :oops: The brain stopped doing math after too many years with computers!! Also must really clean the reading glasses!
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has demanded the four defendants pay 12.75 million baht in compensation

I'll bet still pocket change for him, but better!
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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And so it starts. The first depensation:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tycoon granted court absence

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... rt-absence

The Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court on Tuesday approved a request by construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta to remain absent while prosecution witnesses testified in the infamous black panther poaching case.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Mr Premchai submitted his absence request, which the judges approved because his case carries a maximum sentence of just 10 years, said his lawyer, Withoon Phraiyaem.

Tuesday was the first day of the court hearing for the notorious illegal poaching case in which Mr Premchai and other three people are suspects.
It marked the start of the session for prosecution witnesses to testify.

Prosecutor Somjet Amnuaysawat, who heads the prosecution team in this case, said Mr Premchai has every right to request absence from the prosecution's witness hearings, but he is required to be present during the defence's witness hearings.

Mr Premchai, president of the Italian-Thai Development Plc, was arrested and charged with poaching in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in February along with three other suspects in the case.

Mr Withoon said his client needs the time to manage both his company and his many physical illnesses.

Mr Premchai will appear in court again when the hearing of the defence witnesses begins, said Mr Withoon.
During his absence, Mr Premchai's lawyer will represent him.

Mr Withoon said the defendants would not pay the 12 million baht in financial compensation demanded by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, because they maintain their innocence in the case.

The four defendants will submit their written statement against the demanded payment by Dec 6, he said.
Mr Withoon, however, said he wasn't confident the defendants would win the case although they would try their best to prove their innocence.

According to an informed source, there are a total 31 prosecution witnesses to hear until Dec 18, while the hearings of all 17 defence witnesses are set to begin on Dec 19 and end on Dec 27.

The witnesses who testified Tuesday were deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul and Wichian Chinawong, chief of the western complex of the sanctuary.

Speaking after testifying, Pol Gen Srivara said he was confident the prosecutors would maintain his "perfect" record and bring the culprits to justice.

Mr Wichain exited the courtroom at 5.30pm, and didn't given any media interviews.
However, shortly before he testified, Mr Wichain said he brought additional evidence, including 200 pages of documents.

In related news, Pol Gen Srivara said the investigation into the Oct 7 killing and butchering of a binturong, or bearcat, in Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi, is now 90% complete.

Watcharachai Sameerak, assistant district chief of Dan Makham Tia, is among 12 suspects in this case.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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ITD boss Premchai begins court fight In black leopard case

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... recent_box

KANCHANABURI: Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta remained tight-lipped before the media as his turn came to testify in the alleged black leopard poaching case on Wednesday.

The Italian-Thai Development kingpin and three other defendants were at the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court to start their defence.

The three other suspects are Yong Dodkhruea, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat.
Public prosecutors have rested their case, and the court in Kanchanaburi province is now hearing the accused counter the allegations.

The Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 in April decided to press six charges against the four but dropped another five.

The six allegations are carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

All four were arrested by park officials on Feb 4 at the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in the province's Thong Pha Phum district. Firearms and the carcasses of protected animals were found at the scene.

Mr Premchai refused to talk to the press corps waiting for him at the courthouse. Witoon Yaemprai, a lawyer speaking on his behalf, said during a break that the testimony was continuing.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Ruling in Premchai's wildlife poaching trial set for March

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/ ... -for-march

KANCHANABURI: The Thong Pha Phum court said on Wednesday it will rule on Italian-Thai Development president Premchai Karnasuta's black-leopard poaching case in the morning of March 19, 2019.

The court was due to hear the last two defence witnesses in the trial, including one of the defendants, 56-year-old Thanee Thummat, on Wednesday. When neither appeared it set the date for judgement.

The other three defendants in the case are: Mr Premchai, 63, Yong Dodkhruea, 65, and Nathee Riamsaen, 43.
The hearing of 32 prosecution witnesses started on Nov 27 and finished on Dec 18. The hearing of defence witnesses began on Dec 19 with Mr Premchai's testimony. The defendants' lawyers cut the number of their proposed witnesses from 17 to six.

The court convened on Wednesday to hear the last two defence witnesses - Mr Thanee and Noppadol Prueksawan, former director of marine national parks at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and a former employee of Italian-Thai Development Plc.

Prosecutor Somchet Amnuaysawat said Mr Thanee postponed his testimony from Tuesday, saying he was suffering from hypertension. As his condition had not improved, defence lawyers decided not to call him to the stand on Wednesday.

The defence also called off their examination of Mr Noppadol. They said they had been unable to contact him.
Plaintiffs and defendants are scheduled to file their written closing statements on Jan 25. The court set the ruling for 9am on March 19.

Mr Premchai and his three associates were arrested in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a World Heritage site, in Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi on Feb 4. They were caught at their campsite with the carcasses of protected wildlife, including that of a black leopard, guns and ammunition.

They were arraigned on charges of carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife in a national forest reserve without permission.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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So, one guys nervous and they can't find the other one. Sounds like good reasons to postpone the trial. There's great comedy material in Thailand, to bad you'd get arrested for performing it.
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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handdrummer wrote: Thu Dec 27, 2018 10:22 am So, one guys nervous and they can't find the other one. Sounds like good reasons to postpone the trial. There's great comedy material in Thailand, to bad you'd get arrested for performing it.
Yes indeed - cannot give evidence so cannot be cross examined ?
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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Premchai Steps Down
The Nation - Akaritwat Phonchip

Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta spoke to the media this morning informing them that he no longer has any ties to any business. In a move that has angered many locals, who believe he has began proceedings to hide vast sums of money, Premchai declared himself 'unemployed'.

"The wealthy always dodge justice", said local noodle seller Laak Noodun. "It's just not fair".

"One rule for them, one rule for us", said Chinese entrepreneur Chang Yai, owner of a popular Bangkok beer bar.

Mr Premchai has now turned his hand to building a restaurant in central Bangkok. "I want to win the Thai people back. Yes, the leopard lost its face but I too lost face, not physically but emotionally. Now I will go back to my chef roots. Food plays a large part in Thai culture. Feed a Thai a dumpling and win their heart. I love my people. I'm truly sorry for any offence or distress I caused with my kill-shot of the endangered leopard. At the time, I believed it was a duck"

Full story: www.thenation/news.premchai/leopeardbumming

Premchai Karnasuta's restaurant 'Black Panther' is scheduled for the big open Jan 7th 2019. For reservations please call 08987655773
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Re: Wildlife hunters must face justice

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At the time, I believed it was a duck"
I hope that he was able to buy some new glasses before he became unemployed. :roll:
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