Tong trial adjourned as witness fails to appear

PHUKET TOWN: The trial of five men accused in the June 1997 murder of American Danis Wayne Tong was adjourned again today after a witness failed to appear. Two witnesses were scheduled to testify for the prosecution, but only one attended the court. The defense argued that since the testimony of the two witnesses was in relation to the same aspect of the murder, they should be questioned during the same court session. Judge Pachara Panichwara agreed and adjourned the hearing. The next session is scheduled for October 14. In the dock are Thais Manit Panme, Pratin Praktong, Prajuab Sukkong and Pairat Raksawong, and Belgian Hugo Vendervelde. All but Manit are currently out on bail. For security reasons, the judge ordered that the names of the two witnesses, both Westerners, should not be revealed.