Bangkok, Thailand – On May 20th, 2025, Premchai Karnasuta, the 71-year-old former chairman of Italian-Thai Development Plc, was transferred from the medical unit at Bangkok Remand Prison to the Corrections Department Hospital due to deteriorating health conditions. This move follows his recent arrest in connection with the catastrophic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok, which killed 92 people during a March 28 earthquake.
Premchai, a prominent construction tycoon, was among 17 individuals charged with felony professional negligence causing death after the high-rise, under construction by Italian-Thai Development and a Chinese partner, collapsed in the quake centered in neighboring Myanmar.
Following his arrest on May 16th, Premchai and 14 other suspects were denied bail by the Ratchada Criminal Court and detained at Bangkok Remand Prison. Citing his advanced age and chronic illnesses, including acute respiratory issues, prison authorities initially moved him to the Central Correctional Hospital within the Klong Prem Central Prison complex for medical monitoring as we discussed here.
However, on Tuesday, his condition prompted a further transfer to the Corrections Department Hospital for more comprehensive care.
The Corrections Department confirmed that Premchai’s transfer was necessitated by “acute respiratory conditions” and other underlying health issues, caused by his age. Sources indicate that his family provided medication and a medical certificate to the prison, and he was given rice porridge for breakfast on May 17th, suggesting ongoing attention to his health needs.
This is not the first time Premchai’s health has influenced his incarceration conditions. In 2021, during a prior imprisonment related to a high-profile wildlife poaching case, his wife, Kanita Karnasuta, requested permission for him to receive treatment outside correctional facilities due to similar health concerns. Although no such approval has been granted in the current case, the decision to keep him in a hospital within the correctional system aligns with those earlier requests.
The transfer has reignited debates about the treatment of high-profile inmates in Thailand’s prison system. Critics argue that influential figures like Premchai often receive preferential medical attention, comparing it to former PM Thaksin, while supporters maintain that his age and health conditions justify the move. The Corrections Department has not disclosed specific details about his treatment plan or the duration of his stay at the hospital, citing privacy and security concerns.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the SAO building collapse continues to unfold. Authorities are probing the Italian-Thai Development and China Railway Engineering Corporation (ITD-CREC) joint venture, focusing on allegations of substandard materials and irregularities in project documentation.
