Bangkok – Forensic police have made progress in inspecting a vehicle used by Italian Thai Co Ltd CEO Premchai Karnasutra and three others on an alleged illegal hunting trip but are waiting on confirmation of their findings.
Forensic Science Police Commander, Pol Maj Gen Tawachai Mekprasertsuk indicated Thursday that an inspection of the Land Cruiser used by Premchai and his party when they entered Tungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary has turned up finger prints and gun powder residue but added that unidentified sets of finger prints were also found. All of the prints are to be tested against the weapons found at the scene to establish if any were the shooters.
Blood samples thought to be from poached animals found in the vehicle have been forwarded to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for DNA analysis. Police found no signs of adaptation of the car for hunting purposes but are to continue the analysis until a 30 day deadline is reached.
Head of the Phaya Sua Unit, Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn, meantime disclosed that a secondary survey of the scene where Premchai and his party were found turned up pieces of animal intestine and two bone fragments with evidence pointing to the animal having been used for food. The evidence is to be forwarded to police investigators who are to further inspect the area later.
Meanwhile, at Premchai’s Rangyen Resort in Loei province, which is suspected of having encroached on a national park, Director of the Forest Fire Prevention Office of the Royal Forestry Department, Cheewaphap Cheewatham, on Thursday filed charges with the Dan Sai Police Station against CPK International Co Ltd, accusing it of circumventing the law to take ownership of 6,215 rai of land and convert it into a resort.
