Prosecutors back Premchai rule

Prosecutors yesterday insisted they can explain to the public why they decided to drop almost half of the 11 charges against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, who allegedly poached animals in the Thungyai Nareusuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi in February.

Somsri Watanapaisal, chief of the Office of Public Prosecution Region 7, said prosecutors used their discretion to deliberate on the case.

They also took into consideration public sentiment about the killing of a black leopard, which is a protected animal, she said.

The hunting party is suspected of having shot and eaten the rare wild cat.

“The working team of prosecutors did not buy time in the case and we stand ready to answer any questions the public may have,” said Ms Somsri, adding prosecutors do not take sides.

Mr Premchai, the president of ItalianThai Development, and three of his associates were arrested on Feb 4 at the sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site.

The three other suspects are Yong Dodkhruea, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat.

The Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 on Wednesday said it decided to press six charges against Mr Premchai.

Those 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. Another five charges were dropped. They are: entering a wildlife sanctuary without permission, possessing wildlifehunting tools, attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, committing cruelty to animals, and possessing firearms and ammunition without permission.

The move sparked a backlash in social media.

Deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said the Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 is expected to send its view on the indictment decision to the police next week.

After it receives feedback from them, Pol Gen Srivara said he would call a meeting with police officers who are handling the case to map out how they would proceed.

Referring to the charge of attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary, which was only brought against Mr Thanee, who was found to have used Mr Premchai’s firearms to poach the wildlife, Pol Gen Srivara stressed the other three should have at least faced a charge of colluding to commit the offence.