Wanchalerm Yoobamrung, the son of a former Thai justice...

Wanchalerm Yoobamrung, the son of a former Thai justice minister went on trial in Bangkok's Central Criminal Court in connection with the murder in 2001 of a policeman in a busy Bangkok nightclub.
But the main suspect in the case, cashiered army Sub-Lieutenant Duangchalerm Yoobamrung, another son of prominent politician Chalerm Yoobamrung, failed to show up.
Duangchalerm has been on the run since the execution-style shooting of the policeman in October in the trendy Twenty Pub in the heart of the Thai capital's Ratchadapisek entertainment area.
He is accused of shooting a policeman in the head at point blank range while other men held the victim down.
Four other co-defendants in the case have been charged with facilitating the murder or impending the investigation. One of the accused, Duangchalerm's elder brother, Wanchalerm Yoobamrung, is charged with armed obstruction of police in the course of their duty, assisting law offenders, and illegally carrying firearms.
Duangchalerm, who was discharged from the army after failing to turn up for work last year, has not yet been charged with an offence because, under Thai law, charges can only be laid in court in the presence of the accused. The trial was adjourned until July 1.
Chalerm, a former deputy leader of Thailand's New Aspiration Party, which is a member of the ruling Thai coalition, has repeatedly denied the involvement of his sons in the murder.