Ital-Thai CEO denies charges over ivory possession

BANGKOK, May 8 (TNA) -- Poaching charges Premchai Karnasuta, CEO of the Italian-Thai Development, and his wife report to the Criminal Court on Monday over a charge of illegal possession of elephant tusks, one of several charges related to the poaching in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in February. It is one of the charges the embattled construction tycoon faces following his infamous camping on February 4 with his three companions. They earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges, pending next hearing on May 21. As part of the investigation into the illegal poaching, Mr Premchai and his wife have also been accused of illegal possession of African ivory tusks that were found during police raid at their house in Bangkok, along with over 40 firearms. Mr Premchai and his wife, Kanita Karnasuta, and his aide, Wandee Somboon, denied the charge when they reported to a judge at Ratchadapisek Criminal Court Monday morning. They have been given bail at Bt300,000 each during police investigation in this case. The judge then set a session to hear witness and review evidence on June 25. Although Kanitha claims that she has registration for the ivory tusks it is later identified to be the tusks of African elephants. Ms Wandee is accused of countersigning the registration as a witness and falsely verifying that the tusks were of local elephants. (TNA)