Thai tycoon convicted, bailed in black leopard poaching case

The head of one of Thailand's largest construction firms accused of killing a BLACK leopard was sentenced to 16 months in jail on other poaching-related charges Tuesday, but was allowed to be bailed out pending an appeal.

Premchai Karnasuta, 64, whose company is behind major infrastructure projects such as Bangkok's monorail and airport, was arrested by rangers in a protected sanctuary in February 2018.

He and three of his employees were detained after rangers stumbled upon their campsite and found guns and animal carcasses, including a Kalij pheasant, a red muntjac - or barking deer - and the pelt of a BLACK leopard.

The case has caused an outcry in a country fed up with impunity for powerful figures.

Vichien Chinavong, who led the arrest of Thai tycoon Premchai Karnasuta and three other suspects in a poaching case, arrives at Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, March 19, 2019. /VCG Photo

While the 64-year-old was found not guilty of possessing a leopard carcass, he was convicted of three other poaching-related charges.

The verdict, handed out in a statement to reporters, said Premchai was "sentenced altogether to 16 months".

His driver and cook, who were caught together with him, received lesser sentences, while his hunting guide was sentenced to three years and five months.

A court official said the tycoon was immediately released on bail of 400,000 Thai baht (12,600 U.S. dollars) as he was not considered a flight risk.

Thai courts sometimes grant bail immediately to a convicted person in the expectation they will appeal, and Premchai's lawyer later confirmed he would challenge the verdict.

Graffiti artists spray paint a mural of panthers in protest against the illegal wildlife poaching by construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, in Bangkok, March 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

After Premchai's arrest, the striking images of the skinned leopard went viral, inspiring protests that saw demonstrators don BLACK leopard masks, as well as graffiti of the cat across city walls and a Change.org petition calling for an investigation.

Park ranger Vichaen Chinnawing, who arrested the businessman and his employees, has been hailed as a hero in Thai media. The park ranger said he was satisfied with the conviction.

"I have done my best in this case. If the soul of the dead leopard knows, it will be grateful," he said.

Arrests and convictions for poaching happen often in Thailand but they are rare when it comes to prominent individuals.

"Justice is meted out unequally," said Steve Galster of Freeland Foundation, a wildlife NGO which works with Thai forest rangers, adding that he hopes the court "will stick with the decision" after Premchai's appeal.