Thai MP's son on trial for murder

The politician's playboy sons are notorious in Bangkok

The son of a well-known Thai politician has appeared in court to face a charge of murder over the fatal shooting of a police officer at a nightclub in Bangkok last year.

It was the first time that Duangchalerm Yoobamrung, the son of MP Chalerm Yoobamrung, was in court over the killing since he surrendered to authorities in May after six months in hiding.

The scandal over the saga cost Chalerm his job

Duangchalerm, who was shackled and wearing prison clothing, was accompanied by his older brother Wanchalerm, who is charged with impeding the arrest of Duangchalerm and illegally possessing firearms.

The saga of the killing has held the nation in thrall, and the scandal has caused Duangchalerm's father, a veteran politician, to lose his job.

The shooting occurred in the favourite haunt of the MP's three playboy sons and their friends, after one man trod on another's foot and a brawl ensued.

Other defendants

Three other men also appeared in court along with Duangchalerm and Wanchalerm - two are charged in connection with the murder, and the third, a former police major, with obstructing justice.

The first witness to be called was the widow of the murdered police officer, who said that she had been told the day after the shooting that her husband was killed by the sons of a politician.

Between 40 and 50 other witnesses are expected be called by the prosecution.

Notorious family

Chalerm Yoobamrung's sons have been linked to 12 alleged incidents of brawling and physical assault in the past three years but have never been punished.

This most recent scandal has resulted in Chalerm losing his job as the deputy leader of the New Aspiration Party, which is a member of the ruling coalition.

But Chalerm has leapt to his son's defence, as he has on each of the previous occasions when his boys became involved in fights, shootings or other incidents at bars and discotheques.

He even launched a magazine, to counter what he was as biased media coverage.