Premchai questioned by police about damage to forest

Premchai questioned by police about damage to forest

Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta reports to police again on Wednesday to answer questions in a civil case about damage to the forest during his alleged hunting trip, after acknowledging a bribery charge on Tuesday. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta reports to police again on Wednesday to answer questions in a civil case about damage to the forest during his alleged hunting trip, after acknowledging a bribery charge on Tuesday. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Construction magnate Premchai Karnasuta met police on Wednesday to answer prosecutors' questions about damage he and other three suspects caused to the forest during their alleged hunting trip in a Kanchanburi wildlife sanctuary.

The meeting focused on prosecutors' request for additional information on damage caused to the ecosystem of Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary during their stay in a no-camping area, deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said after leading the interrogation session early on Wednesday.

The prosecutors are considering how much compensation the four suspects must jointly be required to make, he said. It is a civil case. 

They are also facing criminal charges in connection with alleged poaching, but Pol Gen Srivara said investigators have to wait for complete results of forensic testing of items found at their illegal camp inside the world heritage site.

Mr Premchai remained tight-lipped after the 40-minute questioning session at the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.

The embattled 63-year-old president of Italian-Thai Development Plc met police for the second consecutive day after he and his driver, Yong Dodkrua who is one of the other three suspects, reported to police at the Counter Corruption Division on Tuesday.

Besides nine high-profile charges related to wildlife poaching, Mr Premchai is also accused of trying to bribe Thungyai wildlife sanctuary chief Wichian Chinnawong, who led the arrest of the suspects on Feb 4.

The most notorious items found at their camp are the pelt of a rare black Indochinese leopard and a cooking pot containing leopard-meat soup.

Police earlier sent their 857-page case report to prosecutors, recommending indictments, but at least four points are still unclear and prosecutors want clarification.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (21)