A THAI tycoon accused of poaching wildlife in a national park lost his final appeal today, in a long-running saga that drew public outrage over the elite’s perceived impunity.

Construction magnate Premchai Karnasuta was arrested in February 2018, when park officials found guns, animal carcasses – including of a kalij pheasant and red muntjac – and a black leopard pelt at his campsite.

He was found not guilty of possessing a leopard carcass, but convicted of three other poaching-related charges and sentenced to 16 months’ jail – later raised to three years and two months by the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court upheld the guilty verdict and sentence of three years and two months today, conformed a court official.

Premchai and two other defendants were ordered to pay 2 million baht (RM252,000) in compensation.

Premchai, who arrived sporting an eye patch in a Range Rover, will not receive a suspended sentence, according to the Attorney-General’s Office.

He has been sent to Thong Pha Phum district prison.

The decision brings to a close a long-running case that sparked public anger in a kingdom fed up with perceived impunity for powerful figures.

Premchai’s company, Italian-Thai Development Company, is behind major infrastructure projects such as the sky train and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

He and his sister were on the Forbes Top 50 richest list for Thailand, with an estimated US$630 million (RM2.6 billion) fortune at the time, until 2016, but have since dropped off the ranking.

World Wide Fund for Nature Thailand said the case is a victory for “wildlife and the rule of law”.

“It is a sentence that sends a clear message that wildlife crime will not be tolerated no matter who you are,” it said in a statement.

“Today, justice was served and Thailand should be proud.”

Members of the wealthy elite have a habit of avoiding justice in the kingdom.

Last year, there was a public outcry when authorities dropped charges against Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya after he crashed his Ferrari in 2012, killing a police officer.

The Attorney-General’s Office has since announced new charges and an Interpol Red Notice has been issued to arrest Vorayuth. – AFP, December 8, 2021.