Duangchalerm charged with murder

BANGKOK (AFP): Prosecutors today laid charges against Duangchalerm Yoobamrung and his brother Wanchalerm over the killing of a policeman on October 29 in a Bangkok nightclub. Duangchalerm, 20, who is still in hiding, was charged with murder, while Wanchalerm, who was in court today, was charged with impeding his brother’s arrest and with illegal possession of arms, said Chavalit Lamjuanjorn, Deputy General Prosecutor for Criminal Affairs. Duangchalerm is alleged to have put a gun to the forehead of the plainclothes officer and pulled the trigger, following a brawl that erupted after one man stood on another’s foot. Two others, Supoj Saeng-anan and Kripat Juturanon, have also been charged with murdering Pol Maj Suwichai Rodvimut. Another police major, Sarawut Sakulmeerit, a former Special Operations officer, is charged with helping to obstruct Duangchalerm’s arrest. Prosecutors also asked the court to ban Wanchalerm and Supoj from all entertainment venues for five years because of the trouble they have caused, Chavalit said. Duangchalerm and Wanchalerm are the sons of influential politician Chalerm Yoobamrung, former deputy leader of the New Aspiration Party.