Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta was released from prison on Tuesday, seven weeks before the end of his sentence on Dec 7.
The former head of Italian-Thai Development Plc had been serving time in Thong Pha Phum prison in Kanchanaburi for hunting wildlife — including killing a rare black panther — in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018.
The Department of Corrections said Premchai, 69, qualified for early release because he was suffering from diabetes.
