The man said police initially failed to record the rape complaint and that a local politician even tried to negotiate on the suspects’ behalf to get the girl to drop her complaint before making an inappropriate comment.

As social workers prepared to help the traumatised girl yesterday, her 30-year-old father posted another video clip, claiming there had been more than one victim on Sunday night.

He said a 16-year-old girl had asked his daughter to chaperone her while she went out with her boyfriend. She had earlier been falsely accused of being a decoy for the attack, but she said seven youths committed the rape while two others witnessed it but did nothing.

The father produced a video of an interview with the older girl, in which she denied being a decoy and said she herself had also been raped by three teens on the same evening.

Provincial Police Region 1 deputy chief Pol Maj-General Thanayut Wutthicharasthamrong has ordered an inquiry to establish if local police had helped the suspects.

Thanayut visited the scene, a grocery shop on Pichai Ronnarongsongkhram Road opposite Sara Buri Vocational College, but it was locked as the owner was away.

He said the victim and her parents had been sent to the provincial attorney’s office to be interviewed by female police officers.

Meanwhile, the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) said it was on standby in case Saraburi police were deemed to be dragging their feet.

CSD chief Pol Maj-General Jirapop Phuridech assigned a team led by Pol Colonel Arun Wachirasrisukanya, and said it was ready to take over the probe if the victim’s family feared that justice was not being served.

However, Arun said he was satisfied that local police had acted according to the book, so the CSD would let local officers continue with the case.

Meanwhile, Chalermphrakiat District’s tambon Pheung Ruang Administrative Organisation Council chairman Sangwan Sitthipanya yesterday submitted his resignation to district chief Kokchai Chairassameekul after he was criticised for intervening in the case.

Sangwan is the man who is alleged to have stepped in to question the victim, tried to settle the case by way of compensation to aid the suspects, and made an inappropriate comment.

The case has attracted huge attention on social media after the victim’s father, a tattoo artist, posted on his Facebook page a claim that a local administrator, who he said was a relative of one of the suspects, had intervened and offered Bt10,000-Bt30,000 from each boy as settlement money.

The father also posted two video clips, one of which showed the local administrator questioning the victim in front of the suspects and relatives while another showed her father assaulting some of the suspects, a suspect’s father and the administrator. The assaulted suspects’ parents later filed an assault complaint against the victim’s father.

On Tuesday, the victim’s mother vowed to pursue the rape complaint and bring those responsible to justice.

The girl’s grandmother said the victim, who claimed she had also received threats of assault from the attackers while she was being raped if she told anyone what had happened, was now stressed and ill, suffering from fever and dizzy spells.

It was his first court appearance since being arrested in February at the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary.

He declined to talk to waiting reporters, saying only, “I’m excited”, when asked how he was feeling. He was using a walking stick.

The other defendants in the case, his four close aides, arrived at court separately.

Authorities confiscated the remains of a black leopard and two other protected species as well as rifles and other weapons from his camp at the sanctuary in February.

Four of his aides, including a woman cook, were also apprehended at the campsite and charged.

The arrests garnered both headlines overseas because Premchai runs an Italian-Thai construction firm that has won several government contracts.

Observers have expressed concern that he will be able to evade prosecution due to his connections with influential figures in Thailand.

However, the investigation soon expanded to his home in Bangkok and he and his wife were also charged with illegal possession of elephant tusks.

Yesterday was the first day for defendants to testify, beginning with Premchai, who gave his side from 9.30am until noon. After lunch, his aide and driver Yong Dotekrua testified. Yong is said to be a regular companion of Premchai on adventure excursions.

The afternoon session ended at 4.30pm and again the defendants refused to speak to reporters as they left court.

Their lawyers had initially told the court they would call 17 witnesses, but reduced the number to eight yesterday.

The hearing continues today with four other witnesses, including Natee Riemsaen and Thanee Thummart, who were arrested the same day as Premchai.

It is not known if Premchai will return to court now that his testimony has been recorded.

With an election looming, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry also unveiled eight projects, including a TOT PCL free internet connection for three months for those registered for the Pracharath Network by January 15.

The Culture Ministry’s seven projects including a free one-day tour from 8am-4.30pm from December 30 – January 1 using Bangkok Mass Transit Authority’s air-conditioned buses to visit 10 temples from the Chakkri Dynasty.

The Labour Ministry’s five projects include Bt40,000 funeral assistance extending to temporary employees and state staff, the spokeswoman said.

The government also approved a project under Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Consular Affairs to provide translations for 16 state-issued Thai documents, such as birth, marriage, divorce and name-changing certificates into English until January 5 before submission for certifying, she said.

Three projects from the Public Health Ministry were also approved. These included a mobile medical service project, a project to provide a genetic screening to detect allergy to carbamazepine, to relieve certain types of nerve pain, for 10,000 people. There is also a project to produce smart ID cards for “Aor Sor Mor” health promotion volunteers in 76 provinces so they can withdraw cash via ATMs.

The cabinet also approved three Agriculture Ministry projects, including free admission to agricultural “attractions”.

This is the first time that Premchai has appeared in court after he was arrested in February at the Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary.

He declined to talk to waiting reporters, saying only “I’m excited”, when asked how he was feeling. The other defendants, his four close aides, arrived at court separately.

The authorities confiscated the remains of a black leopard and two other protected animals as well as rifles and other weapons from his camp at the wildlife sanctuary in February.

Four of his aides, including a female cook, were also apprehended at the campsite and charged.

The arrests hit both local and foreign headlines as Premchai runs an Italian-Thai construction company that has won many government contracts.

Many fear he will be able to evade prosecution due to his connection with influential figures in Thailand.

However, the investigation has expanded to his home in Bangkok, and he and his wife have also been charged for the illegal possession of elephant tusks.

Witness as the wild Himalayan cherry trees dot the city in pink, imbuing a sense of romance befitting the season. Known locally as the “Tiger Queen” or Nang Phaya Sua Kroang, here are the best places to catch the blooming pink petals and other interesting sights for your next Instagram tryst.

Khun Chang Khian Highland Agriculture Research Centre, Chiang Mai

The Khun Chang Khian Highland is engulfed in cherry pink.

High up in the Doi Suthep mountain of Chiang Mai lies a research centre run by the University of Chiang Mai’s Faculty of Agriculture, which planted the blossom trees in an effort to promote tourism in the area.

Drawing locals and foreign tourists alike, visitors can make your way up the unpaved and narrow roads by riding the songthaew – a red taxi truck commonly found in the province. The journey usually takes about 40 minutes from the base, but be mentally prepared for heavy traffic come peak holiday period.

Once on top, take in the breathtaking hues and sip a cup of locally grown coffee, as you mingle with the ethnic Hmong who call the hill home. Warm yourself with a piping bowl of noodle soup and local delicacies such as sai-ua (northern Thai sausages) and steaming purple sweet potatoes.

Khun Wang Royal Agricultural Research Centre, Chiang Mai

Take Instagram-worthy photos against the sakura backdrop.

At an elevation of 1,400m, this royal agricultural centre in Doi Inthanon National Park is arguably one of the most scenic places to view the cherry blossoms.

Walk under canopies of the stunning pink shade, and take dreamy travel shots against the beautiful background to feed the wanderlust to your social media followers. The park is also home to a variety of fruits like strawberries and pears, which you can pick from the research garden.

Phum Lom Lo, Loei

The cherry trees were planted in 2010 by Hmong farmers.

More than 100,000 wild Himalayan cherry trees line this former cabbage plantation site in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Loei. The cherry trees were planted by the Hmong farmers in 2010, when park authorities took over the land from agriculture use.

Just like bees to the blossom, the pilot project began to bloom and sees a flurry of visitors every Jan and Feb without fail. With a temperature that rarely hovers above 10°C, you could also experience winter-like weather closer to home.

Doi Chang, Chiang Rai

The wild Himalayan cherry blossoms.

Come December, the hills of coffee producing Doi Chang region come to life with pastel-coloured dreams that last until mid-January. Over 500,000 blooming cherry trees rain petals down the streets of this outskirt Chiang Rai district.

Interestingly, the flowers here were grown by the Chiang Rai Highland Agricultural Extension Centre for experimental purposes, as well as to attract visitors.

What’s a trip to a coffee region without sampling its finest offering? With cool weather all around, it’s the perfect temperature to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee with a sight of beautiful flowers.

Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai

Besides cherry blossom, the people of Doi Mae Salong grow quality oolong tea.

Located deep in the heart of Chiang Rai, this hilltop village is home to the ethnic Chinese minorities in Thailand, due to its proximity to the border.

Although fleeting, the cherry blossoms are widely celebrated here as part of the culture along with oolong tea – the village’s main income production. The Doi Mae Salong Tea and Sakura Festival falls from Dec 28 to Jan 2 with plenty of cultural activities and ethnic performances lined up.

This article is brought to you by Tourism Authority of Thailand. The cherry blossom season varies depending on weather conditions and destinations, so it’s best to do your research before going. Embrace winter in Thailand with great travel deals from Expedia.com.my and enjoy instant savings up to 58% off selected hotels until the day of your trip.