KANCHANABURI: First it was one, then five and now eight.
That was the number of bullet holes found in the body of a black panther, one of at least three endangered wild animals found dead at the camping ground inside the western part of the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary where Italian-Thai Development (ITD) president Premchai Karnasuta and three other persons were arrested by park rangers on Sunday.
Two bullets had ripped through the head of the feline and six others into the body, all shot from high angles, according to a simulation conducted by forensic police at Thong Pha Phum police station in Thong Pha Phum district in Kanchanaburi province.
The protected Kalij pheasant had been hit even harder, with 12 bullet holes detected by forensic police. The number of bullet holes in the barking deer remains unknown.
(Video YouTube/United Press International)
Forensic experts and investigators are trying to establish links between the bullets - and other evidence seized - with the four men apprehended at the camp site: the construction mogul himself, ITD employee and driver Yong Dodkhruea, Thanee Thummat, who runs a restaurant and is believed to be a guide, and Nathee Riamsaen, a cook for the group.
Three long-barrelled guns and ammunition were found at the scene, in addition to the carcasses of at least three endangered animals and cooked feline meat.
Thong Pha Phum police have so far pressed nine charges against the men, including illegal poaching. All denied the allegations. One or all of them could face an additional charge of trying to bribe officials.
Traces of gunpowder residue and fingerprints are other pieces of evidence being examined by police, while DNA tests may also be conducted, according to Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Mekpresetsuk, the Central Police Forensic Science Division.
Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai on Sunday said the evidence could be sent from Thong Pha Phum to the division in Bangkok as early as Monday for additional tests.
Police from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division have ordered Noppadon Prueksawan, a retired official of the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and now an advisor to the construction firm, for appear for an interrogation this week after he was identified as the person who contacted the department to request access to the Thungyai Naresuan sanctuary for Mr Premchai and his team.
Pol Col Suwat Inthasit, the deputy division chief, said Mr Noppadon had contacted the office to set up an appointment with police either on Thursday or Friday, Naewna online reported.
