Murder Son of Corrupt Thai Politician Allowed Free for $235,000 by Phairath Khampha 31 May 2003 Appeal Court allows 10 million baht bail - Chalerm's land titles secure son's release Murderer Duangchalerm Yubamrung, one of the wayward sons of very corrupt although influential and seemingly untouchable Thai politician Chalerm Yubamrung, was granted bail on April 30, 2003 after 362 days behind bars since he surrendered in May 2002 following six months on the run. The Appeal Court ordered Mr Duangchalerm's release on bail of 10 million baht, secured by land title deeds put up by his father, the leader of Muan Chon party leader. The court said it was unlikely Mr Duangchalerm would flee or try to influence any witnesses, although in the past the family was reknowned for intimidation and even killing of witnesses if they sang, hence why they were all still scot-free for their various acts of corruption and crime. The court's decision was read out in the Criminal Court, which statement said Mr Duangchalerm should be temporarily released because he had surrendered voluntarily to police, bail was guaranteed by his father's assets, and he was unlikely to influence any civilian witnesses because most of them had already testified. Mr Duangchalerm was prohibited from leaving the country. At noon, Pol Capt Chalerm took the title deeds to four plots of land in Bang Bon with an estimated value of 10.7 million baht to the Criminal Court which in turn issued a warrant for his son's release from Bangkok Special Prison. Jaidet Pornchaiya, director-general for criminal litigation, said the defendant's release should not affect the case as most prosecution witnesses had already testified. The remaining witnesses were police officers who had examined the victim's wounds and the crime scene. The prosecution was considering excluding unnecessary witnesses from the trial, he said. Mr Duangchalerm shot dead Pol Sgt-Maj Suvichai Rodwimut at the Twenty Club on Ratchadapisek road on October 29, 2001. The victim's wife, Mrs Supatra, said she had opposed the granting of bail. However her lawyer, Wachara Sukhon, agreed the defendant's release would not affect the trial. Mr Duangchalerm was required to attend every hearing because of the seriousness of the crime, he said. The next hearing was set for May 19. Outspoken Bangkok MP Chalerm Yubamrung beamed and embraced his youngest son. "Over the past one year, every day was like 10 years to me," said Chalerm, who visited his son in prison every day. "It's been a very long wait." The court's decision left the family of the slain policeman dismayed. "I respect the court's decision, although I'm still worried," said the victim's widow, Supatra. "We had opposed every bail attempt by the defence because of the obvious reasons that they intimidate, threaten, commit acts of vioelnce and even kill in order to get away with their crimes; and they always do." Bail was granted less than two months after what the defence labelled the highly significant testimony of a forensic expert. Police Maj-General Wichit Smathiwattana said his October 29, 2001 autopsy on Suwichai found that he died of a gunshot wound to his right forehead, inflicted by a bullet fired at close range. The defence was buoyed by the testimony. Defence sources said none of the prosecution witnesses had previously described Duangchalerm as shooting Suwichai at point-blank range. Most prosecution witnesses, some of whom were officers who accompanied Suwichai to the Twenty Pub on an undercover operation, said they saw Duangchalerm raising his arm in a shooting position and heard a single shot. According to witnesses, there appeared to be distance between the two men. Supatra's lawyer, Watchara Sukhon, said the bail decision would not affect the case. "I don't think it can change anything, although my client is somehow worried," he said. "But his father will be able to find a way to avoid a conviction. Perhaps simply pay some compensation money." Duanchalerm had fled the scene and the country after the shooting and spent months in hiding. He gave himself up on May 2, 2002. Two court dates pending In addition to the murder charges, Duangchalerm also had to appear before the Phra Khanong district court for a hearing on an assault case on June 26. Pramote Nopsiri, a prosecutor of the Phra Khanong district court's litigation division, said Duangchalerm had been indicted for beating up Amnat Patisantharnkarnkul and Narib Chaisupa, Assumption University students, at Cafe Record Pub in Sukhumvit Soi 21 on October 11, 2000. Duangchalerm would have to attend the first court hearing for examination of prosecution witnesses on June 26. The family is notorious for being arrogantly violent when things do not go their way. Duangchalerm goes back in court Duangchalerm on May 19 appeared much more cheerful at the first hearing of his murder trial since he was released on bail on April 30. Wearing a blue shirt, dark blue tie and black trousers, he was accompanied to the Criminal Court by his father, other relatives and his girlfriend. The court heard testimony from a prosecution witness in the case. Chalerm declined to comment on the trial except on its delay, which he blamed on the prosecution team. He said Duangchalerm was preparing for a master's degree course at Ramkhamhaeng University. "Classes begin next month," he said.