STATEMENT on the Premchai Karnasuta sentencing 8.12.21 WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE – THAILAND

Posted on 9 December 2021

The verdict today in the Premchai Karnasuta case is a victory for wildlife and the rule of law. It is a sentence which sends a clear message that wildlife crime will not be tolerated no matter who you are and underpins the value of natural resources and wildlife for all the people of Thailand as national treasures.

Today, at the Thong Pha Phum Court, Premchai was sentenced to 2 years and 14 months imprisonment for illegal possession of a dead pheasant and weapons and for supporting poaching. The court also ordered Premchai and Thanee to pay 2 million baht in compensation to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

We thank the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and their staff including Khun Whichien Chinnawong, the former superintendent and his team at Thung Yai National Park. We commend them for their courage in making the arrest of Mr. Premchai and for the professional manner in which they handled this case.

Finally, we thank the Thai people who made this story become history. It has been a long journey until the final judgement. The efforts and power of Thai people reveal the national commitment to protect the country’s natural resources . Today justice was served, and Thailand should be proud.

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