Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta faces an additional charge of bribery for offering officials "anything you want" in return for his release after he was detained in a high-profile wildlife poaching case in Kanchanaburi.
Police investigators are preparing to summon him to acknowledge the new charge next Wednesday, deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said Thursday, adding officers will use witnesses' accounts to back up the charge.
He played down Mr Premchai's plan to leave Thailand on Friday as he is not banned from travelling overseas following his temporary release on bail granted by Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court on Feb 6.
Wildlife officials, who believed they went hunting there, found carcasses of protected species, and the pelt of a rare black leopard. Near their tent they found a cooking pot containing soup. It was later confirmed to be black leopard soup. Examination of a chopping block and knives in the camp also discovered traces of the animal's DNA.
The evidence, together with subsequent raids on his mansion in Bangkok for illegal items, implicated him and the other three suspects on nine charges of wrongdoing, mostly related to unauthorised hunting in the wildlife refuge.
A complaint against Mr Premchai over the alleged bribery was filed by Thungyai Naresuan sanctuary chief, Wichian Chinnawong.
He told police on Wednesday that his team took the four suspects and the animal carcasses out of their camp and temporarily detained them.
During the detention, Mr Premchai allegedly told Mr Wichian: "If you release me, I'll give you anything you want," deputy Counter Corruption Division chief Watcharin Phusit said, referring to accounts given by officials in the arrest team.
"That was an attempt to bribe state officials," he said.
The conversation took place at a time when eight people, suspects and officials, were in the building. The voice was clearly heard and the light was sufficient to make it clear who was talking, Pol Col Watcharin said.
Pol Gen Srivara said Mr Premchai can continue his trip abroad, but he will have to report to police on March 14.
The suspect can ask to postpone the meeting or he will receive a second summons, the last one before police will ask the court to issue an arrest warrant.
Mr Premchai had reportedly informed immigration police he would fly to Bangladesh on Saturday in his personal jet and return to Thailand on Sunday.
Mr Srivara also said on Wednesday that police will press two further charges for illegal possession of guns and four African elephant tusks against Mr Premchai.
