Premchai case ‘nothing to do with move’

Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary chief, Wichian Chinnawong, insisted yesterday that his transfer had more to do with personal reasons and not because he had taken the witness stand in the notorious wildlife poaching case involving construction mogul Premchai Karnasuta.

“Please be clear that I have had no pressure related to the case at all. And even if I was being pressured, I know I will always be protected by my department chief who will never let me walk alone,” Mr Wichian said at a press conference yesterday.

The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation also issued a press statement yesterday after rumours began circulating that Mr Wichian had been transferred due to his role in the notorious lawsuit. It is still not clear where exactly Mr Wichian is being transferred to.

Mr Wichian, who in February 2018 caught the billionaire and three members of his staff camping in the park with carcasses of wild animals, including that of a rare black leopard, insisted that people had misunderstood the reason behind his move.

He revealed that he has been suffering from a bad case of haemorrhoids and very much needed to undergo treatment. He also said he wanted to be near his family, especially his 11-month-old baby. His family lives in the northeastern region of the country.

Mr Wichian added that he had sought a transfer earlier because he wanted to undergo treatment, but decided to stay longer so he could testify in the case.

Since the primary court’s verdict and the recent Appeal Court ruling had moved in a positive direction, he felt it was about time for him to make a move. Mr Wichain reportedly submitted his transfer request in October.

Meanwhile, Mr Premchai was sentenced to 16 months behind bars by the Thong Pha Phum Court in March.

The Appeal Court this month increased the sentence to about three years and two months for illegal possession of firearms and wildlife carcasses, including a rare black leopard, and poaching in the western Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Thong Pha Phum district in February last year.

‘‘ Please be clear that I have had no pressure related to the case at all. And even if I was being pressured, I know I will always be protected by my department chief who will never let me walk alone.

WICHIAN CHINNAWONG

CHIEF OF THE THUNGYAI NARESUAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY