Court Grants Bail to Ex-ITD Boss as SAO Collapse Inquiry Deepens
Since late November, Bangkok’s courts have shifted the spotlight from detention to strict conditional freedom for one of Thailand’s most prominent contractors, balancing public safety with individual rights amid a high-profile infrastructure scandal.
Suspending Incarceration Amid Public Safety Concerns
The Criminal Court surprised legal observers by granting Premchai Karnasuta temporary release under bail set at 1.5 million baht, citing his 71-year-old status and chronic illnesses. Judges concluded that he poses no significant flight risk, has not attempted witness interference or evidence tampering, and provided a credible surety. To ensure oversight, the court imposed an electronic monitoring requirement and a strict travel ban without prior approval.
Earthquake Fallout and Structural Failures
When a magnitude 5.7 tremor rattled central Bangkok on March 28, 2025, the 7-storey State Audit Office tower collapsed in seconds, triggering a government investigation. Four engineering institutes quickly flagged design flaws in elevator shafts and shear walls, and the prime minister confirmed deviations from building codes. All findings were forwarded to กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ (DSI) and the Royal Thai Police, sparking a sprawling probe into planning and construction failures.
The Court’s Rationale for Bail
In deciding to lift detention, judges emphasized due process and noted that medical reports attest to Mr. Karnasuta’s need for regular treatment. His permanent address, strong family ties, and long professional background further mitigated concerns that he might flee. Despite prosecutors lodging 67 allegations against 23 individuals, the former ประธานกรรมการ อิตาเลียนไทย ดีเวล๊อปเมนต์ faces only one negligence charge related to his directorship of an implicated subsidiary.
Electronic Monitoring in Thailand’s Justice System
Thailand’s rollout of electronic monitoring anklets, known locally as อุปกรณ์อิเล็กทรอนิกส์, has aimed to relieve prison overcrowding and uphold the presumption of innocence. Legal experts applaud the bail equity potential but warn of data privacy concerns and uneven access for underprivileged defendants. The Ministry of Justice and Probation Department continue refining protocols to ensure that technological tools do not undermine fairness.
Implications for Corporate Accountability
For Italian-Thai Development and the wider public works sector, this decision marks a turning point. Stakeholders will watch closely as the trial examines engineering malpractice, board oversight failures, and the erosion of shareholder trust. With criminal scrutiny now paired with reputational stakes, companies may face tighter internal controls and greater pressure to guarantee infrastructure safety.
Next Steps in the SAO Trial
The court’s judicial timeline calls for witness testimony and evidence hearings in the coming months. Parallel inquiries into nominee shareholdings and alleged collusion in public tenders are still unfolding. As the SAO case proceeds, lawyers and policymakers alike will assess whether the process delivers lasting lessons or simply reheats familiar tensions over development and justice in Thailand.