Somkid denies poaching scandal will affect Italian-Thai mega-projects
The arrest of construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta will not affect major government infrastructure projects, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said on Wednesday.
Several government mega-projects, including the skytrain and highway projects across the country, are being built by Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), of which Premchai is president.
“The case is a personal matter and will impact an individual executive, but not the whole company,” Somkid said.
Somkid also said the arrest would not affect the confidence of foreign investors or the investment atmosphere.
In 2017 alone, ITD won several mega-infrastructure projects worth a combined Bt130 billion, including the Bt35-billion Mae Moh power plant project.
Premchai has been charged with poaching after being detained at the World Heritage Thung Yai Naresuan Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi province on Sunday. Guns and ammunition as well as the carcasses of protected wild animals were found near the campsite.