BANGKOK, Dec 13 (TNA) — An appeal court on Thursday increased jail term to Thailand’s construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta to 2 years 14 months for his crimes related to a high-profile poaching case in a national park last year.
Mr Premchai, the president of Italian-Thai Development Plc, and three accomplices were arrested at a camp in the western Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Thong Pha Phum district on Feb 4 -6, 2018, while possessing carcasses of protected animals including a black leopard.
The Thong Pha Phum Court in March this year sentenced Mr Premchai 16 months in prison.
The Court of Appeal on Thursday handed down the verdict finding Mr Premchai and three other defendants guilty of illegal possession of wildlife carcasses and firearms in a national park as well as poaching.
His aides’ sentences were also increased: his driver was given 2 years 17 months imprisonment; his maid got 1 year 8 months jail time with 2 years suspension; and his hunter who confessed of killing the black leopard 2 years 21 months jail time.
Head of the Sanctuary Wichien Chinawong who led the arrests said the court’s verdict gave him a morale boost to enforce the law.
Mr Premchai, 64, and all defendants are also ordered to 2 million baht in compensation for damage to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. (TNA)
