Bangkok – A search of the home of the Italian Thai Co Ltd executive suspected of poaching in a wildlife sanctuary has turned up 43 firearms and two pairs of elephant tusks, leading authorities to believe he regularly engages in illegal hunts.
Police enacted a warrant on Wednesday to search the home of Italian Thai Co Ltd CEO Premchai Kannasut who was earlier arrested after being discovered with three others in a restricted area of the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary surrounded by weapons and indications of poaching.
The suspect’s lawyer Witool Yamprai led the search conducted by investigators and officers from the Natural Environment Division. The division’s deputy commander Pol Lt Col Suwat Intasit disclosed that the search of the first of Premchai’s three homes did not turn up any incriminating evidence with his wife in a state of distress and unable to provide information. However the search ultimately turned up 43 firearms including rifles and shotguns. All of the weapons were properly stored with four registered to Premchai and one to his son. All are being checked for recent usage but may also have been for show. Two pairs of elephant ivory tusks were also found, both properly licensed from 2017. No other signs of illegal activity were found.
Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsiphramnakul later joined the search, remarking that the discovery of weaponry and animal paraphernalia combined with Premchai’s recent arrest indicated a pattern of illegal animal hunting.
Police are to begin questioning agents from the Department of Wildlife Conservation along with others involved in the case. Meanwhile, they are confident Premchai is still in Bangkok as immigration officials have been instructed to monitor his possible departure.
Pol Gen Sriwara confirmed the case would be handled in a straight forward manner and justice would be served.
