Premchai sentenced to 16 months in jail but gets reprieve in black leopard case

[webfact]

Law hunts down tycoon

By The Nation

 

 

Premchai sentenced to 16 months in jail but gets reprieve in black leopard case; lawyers to appeal guilty verdict

 

Premchai Karnasuta avoids the media as he leaves Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in Kanchanaburi province yesterday following the verdict against him and three other suspects.He was released on bail immediately after receiving a sentence of 16 months. Nation/Korbphuk Phromlekha

 

The long arm of the law finally caught up with construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta who was acquitted in the much-publicised black-leopard poaching case but sentenced to 16 months in jail on related charges.

 

He was also ordered to pay compensation to a wildlife sanctuary yesterday. 

 

Though Premchai’s convictions are related to poaching, the three charges he is being punished for do not directly concern the case of the black leopard carcass found in the possession of his group inside the Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in Kanchanaburi in early 2018. 

 

He was released on bail as of press time. 

 

When asked for a response to the verdict, Premchai only said: “I’m sorry.” 

 

The tycoon’s conviction has eased widespread public concern that the super-rich can get away with wrongdoings.

 

 

After Premchai was arrested inside the wildlife sanctuary’s prohibited zone in February 2018, not only conservationists, but even ordinary people began using the “black leopard” symbol to press for justice. 

 

The Thong Pha Phum Court in Kanchanaburi convicted Premchai – the powerful and well-connected president of the Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited – of three crimes: He was given six months for carrying firearms in public without permission, eight months for “aiding others in hunting for game in a wildlife sanctuary without permission” and two months for possessing the carcass of a protected species – a Kalij pheasant – without permission. 

 

However, Premchai was acquitted of being in possession of the carcass of a black leopard and illegally collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve. 

 

The three other defendants in the case, all of whom work for Premchai, were also found guilty. Premchai’s close aide, Yong Dodkhruea, got 13 months in jail for carrying a weapon without permission and illegally possessing the carcass of a black leopard. 

 

The tycoon’s driver, Thanee Thummart, was given two years and 17 months in prison for several offences, including the unauthorised possession of a black leopard’s carcass and for hunting inside a wildlife sanctuary. 

 

Premchai’s cook Natee Riemsan received a suspended four-month jail term and was fined Bt10,000 for illegally possessing the black leopard carcass. 

 

The Thong Pha Phum court also ordered Premchai and Thanee to pay Bt2 million plus 7.5 per cent annual interest in compensation to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, which oversees the Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary where Premchai’s group was arrested. 

 

Premchai and Yong have been released on a bail of Bt400,000 each, while Thanee is out on a Bt500,000 guarantee. Their lawyers have vowed to fight the guilty verdict. 

 

 

Wichien Chinnawong, who led the arrest of Premchai’s group and received several awards for his action, said yesterday that he was satisfied to some extent with the verdict. 

 

“I think the verdict is quite fair to the black leopard and the animals killed,” Wichien said, adding that he had confidence in the judiciary. 

 

He added that the public wants to see whether the country’s laws also apply to the rich, and this time the case has followed legal proceedings. 

“The court has given us a clear answer today,” he said. 

 

Conservationist Sasin Chaler-mlarp, chairman of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, said that though the verdict may not have measured up to public expectation, it would still serve as a major lesson to Thai society. 

 

He said the case had already prompted widespread public opposition to the pastime of hunting protected wildlife, while also educating people about wildlife forensics in the quest for justice.

 

Since the black-leopard case caught media attention, Premchai has been facing a lot of legal trouble. Apart from yesterday’s case, he is facing several charges, including illegally possessing two pairs of African elephant tusks, which were found in his Bangkok home. His wife Khanitta and associate Wandee Somphum are also defendants in this case. 

 

Premchai and Yong also face the charge of trying to bribe park officials when they turned up to arrest them. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30366124

 

 -- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-20

[cornishcarlos]

So that's that then... Next up, the funny election drama

[Samui Bodoh]

"...When asked for a response to the verdict, Premchai only said: “I’m sorry...” 

 

I think that Thais should enjoy those words, as they are likely the only actual punishment to be received.

 

We have seen this kind of thing before; there will be appeals. There will be delays on those appeals. The appeals will be appealed. The appeal of the appeal will be appealed. The case will be delayed. the delay of the case will be delayed again. Yet again, there will be more delays. Then, there will be appeals of the delay. Next, the delay granted earlier will be appealed. Then, the appeal of the delay of the appeal, of the delay of the appeal will be delayed. 

 

Anyone willing to wager that he actually goes to jail?

 

Anyone?

 

We have seen it time and time again; the rich always get off, somehow. Why do people think this is different? 

 

"...He was released on bail as of press time. .."

 

The quote above is the most important piece of information in the article...

 

 

[Somtamnication]

The driver gets more time. What a circus.

[ezzra]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

When asked for a response to the verdict, Premchai only said: “I’m sorry.” 

Yeah, Sorry he go caught... how did he got off killing the leopard and got it for only killing a bird that's i very interesting, I, like many others, don't think he will spend a day in court, what with appeals and re appeals to higher courts, faking ailments etc. etc. ...

[Sticky Wicket]

5 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...When asked for a response to the verdict, Premchai only said: “I’m sorry...” 

 

I think that Thais should enjoy those words, as they are likely the only actual punishment to be received.

 

We have seen this kind of thing before; there will be appeals. There will be delays on those appeals. The appeals will be appealed. The appeal of the appeal will be appealed. The case will be delayed. the delay of the case will be delayed again. Yet again, there will be more delays. Then, there will be appeals of the delay. Next, the delay granted earlier will be appealed. Then, the appeal of the delay of the appeal, of the delay of the appeal will be delayed. 

 

Anyone willing to wager that he actually goes to jail?

 

Anyone?

 

We have seen it time and time again; the rich always get off, somehow. Why do people think this is different? 

 

"...He was released on bail as of press time. .."

 

The quote above is the most important piece of information in the article...

 

 

It's not like he's going to live much longer anyway is it.

Big clutcher around the corner.

 

Most people have to appeal whilst they are in jail, he gets bail and the merry go round commences. 

[Dexlowe]

He'll get bail and take his case to the Appeal Court. If the Appeal Court rejects him, he'll go to the Supreme Court. If the Appeal Court overturns the verdict, the prosecutors will take the case to the Supreme Court. In either scenario, the Supreme Court will make just one verdict, if precedence is any guide: he will be found guilty but the sentence will be suspended. So he'll serve no jail time at all.

 

I'll bet my next pay rise on it.

[webfact]

Premchai gets 16 months in prison, acquitted of black panther carcass possession

 

   

KANCHANABURI, 20 March 2019 (NNT) - The Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court has sentenced Italian-Thai Director Premchai Karnasuta to 16 months in jail for illegal possession of a dead pheasant and weapons, and supporting poaching. However, he was not sentenced for the possession of a black panther carcass while his 3 other associates were punished. 

 

The other defendants, which included driver Yong Dodkruea , maid Nathee Riamsaen , and ranger Thanee Thummat , were handed sentences ranging from 4 months to 2 years and 17 months in prison. Convictions for the 3 included possession of a black panther carcass. 

 

Furthermore, all 4 must pay a total of 4 million baht in compensation in addition to 7.5% in annual interest starting February 4th, 2018, to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

 

 

-- © Copyright nnt 2019-03-20

[brucec64]

"The tycoon’s conviction has eased widespread public concern that the super-rich can get away with wrongdoings. "

 

No it hasn't. A lot of super-rich get convicted - none actually spend a day in jail, as will be the case here. Even if he did eventually go to jail, within a day he would have a "health issue" and would serve his time in a luxury suite in a private hotel.

[Eligius]

What a farce.

And then the next farce is about to happen this Sunday.

 

The Thais don't mind too much, though (not enough to dare to DO something): they have become inured to farces. After all, from day one of their birth they are indoctrinated into one huge great farce ...

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The tycoon’s conviction has eased widespread public concern that the super-rich can get away with wrongdoings.

hardly, a wrist slap for the minor offenses while let off on the major one; thru appeals he wont do any tiime

[rkidlad]

Only a troll or a complete f****** idiot would think any justice has been served here. This case has nothing to do with justice or the law. Just a bunch of people trying to make money and/or save face. 

 

Complete sham. And another sick reminder that nothing has changed at all. 

[Lupatria]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Wichien Chinnawong,  said yesterday that he was satisfied to some extent with the verdict. 

“I think the verdict is quite fair to the black leopard and the animals killed,” Wichien said, adding that he had confidence in the judiciary. 

Looks like someone joined the black leopards in the group of endangered species...

[mania]

Prathet Goo Mee...Prathet Goo Mee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI-7b0pKrTA

 

[Oziex1]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...When asked for a response to the verdict, Premchai only said: “I’m sorry...” 

 

I think that Thais should enjoy those words, as they are likely the only actual punishment to be received.

 

We have seen this kind of thing before; there will be appeals. There will be delays on those appeals. The appeals will be appealed. The appeal of the appeal will be appealed. The case will be delayed. the delay of the case will be delayed again. Yet again, there will be more delays. Then, there will be appeals of the delay. Next, the delay granted earlier will be appealed. Then, the appeal of the delay of the appeal, of the delay of the appeal will be delayed. 

 

Anyone willing to wager that he actually goes to jail?

 

Anyone?

 

We have seen it time and time again; the rich always get off, somehow. Why do people think this is different? 

 

"...He was released on bail as of press time. .."

 

The quote above is the most important piece of information in the article...

 

 

While I'm not happy that as usual it is unlikely he will do time.  The legal process will put a load on his wallet and we know they don't like that. 

[Docno]

2 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

The driver gets more time. What a circus.

You and the journalist are missing the all important details of the case: the aide, the driver, and the chef were planning a surprise panther-steak BBQ for the boss and he showed up just before the authorities arrived. Simply bad luck and bad timing on his part...  ????

[Lucius verus]

This country is so corrupt.

I wouldn't be surprised if the rich have their own private parking bays outside all courts so they can make a quick getaway after tossing brown envelopes at everyone in the court room.

This fat slob will never spend a night in prison.The appeals process will outlive him.

[connda]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The three other defendants in the case, all of whom work for Premchai, were also found guilty. Premchai’s close aide, Yong Dodkhruea, got 13 months in jail for carrying a weapon without permission and illegally possessing the carcass of a black leopard.

So we see who got thrown under the bus for actual 'possessing' the black leopard.  Interesting.  If a group of men rob a bank and have the money in their car, don't they all get charged with possessing the money, or does only one robber get charged?  My guess is they all get charged.  Just saying. 
Wonder what the odds are of him never spending a day in prison?  2 to 1; 5 to 1?  The nobodies will be tossed in the clink asap. 

[yellowboat]

The military government and the creepy wealthy will still embrace him, but the average Thai won't.  It is doubtful he will do any real jail time.  

[rwill]

3 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

The driver gets more time. What a circus.

Of course, if the driver had not taken him there it would not have happened.

[sweatalot]

59 minutes ago, Docno said:

You and the journalist are missing the all important details of the case: the aide, the driver, and the chef were planning a surprise panther-steak BBQ for the boss and he showed up just before the authorities arrived. Simply bad luck and bad timing on his part...  ????

I wouldnt be surprised if he won't even give them the promised reward for their story and undeserved jailtime

[Eric Loh]

I feel sorry for the man servant who was there on instruction to cook leopard penis soup for the boss. Got 4 months jail time for doing his job. 

[Grusa]

Justice will be well served if Thai-Ital fails to be awarded any more contracts in Thailand. Pity about the workers jobs, though.

[worgeordie]

It was supposed to be all about the killing of the Black Panther.......but it wasn't.

can only hope he gets a few more years for the Elephant tusks......but the maid

might cop for that.

regards worgeordie

[whaleboneman]

“Justice” has been served. How do they sleep at night?

[longtom]

“Justice” has been served. How do they sleep at night?

Very well - on a bundle of 1000 Baht notes. [emoji42]

Sent from my SM-J250F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[cynicalmatt]

So the driver gets the largest sentence? And that's meant to vindicate the scales of justice for the rich? Did he get bail? 

 

And what the heck is 2years and 17 months, is that 3 years and 5 months? 

[JTXR]

A scumbag, but a rich scumbag, so the chances he'll ever go to jail are zero.

[SunsetT]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

I think the verdict is quite fair to the black leopard and the animals killed,” Wichien said, adding that he had confidence in the judiciary. 

????????????

[zaZa9]

5 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

The driver gets more time. What a circus.

But of course!

Its important to the Elite to constantly remind themselves that they have been 'chosen' and can never do anything wrong.

THEY have been each given a set of lackys , for whom the wrath of the law only applies to.

'They' are the bosses , but if things go wrong , those taking the orders also take the fall.

Only lowly peasants actually serve 'time'.. it is written in the laws they wrote and manipulate.