Chalerm’s son on nightclub brawl charge

Wan Yubamrung, the son of veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung, reported to the police yesterday after a man claimed he assaulted him outside a club that is popular with wealthy young Thais in April.

Mr Wan turned himself in to Crime Suppression Division chief Pol Maj Gen Maitree Chimcherd and was formally charged with injuring Panuwat Punnarattanakul outside Demo in Soi Thong Lor near Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok on the night of April 23.

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for Mr Wan last Thursday.

He had not been granted bail as of press time yesterday.

Mr Wan, a member of the Pheu Thai Party, and four of his friends were accused of punching and kicking Mr Panuwat. Yossapat Saphanchtai, who was with Mr Wan, allegedly threatened him with a pistol and fired shots into the air.

Mr Panuwat registered a complaint at Thong Lor police station.

Mr Panuwat, whose parents run the Mae Thong Suk gold shop, had quarrelled with Mr Wan’s son, Achawin, in Singapore and CSD police suspect that was the motive for the attack when the father and son met up with the alleged victim outside Demo.

The Yubamrung family is heavily involved in politics under the Pheu Thai banner, with their stronghold in Bang Bon and other districts of Thon Buri.

Pol Capt Chalerm and his eldest son Artharn also dropped by the CSD office but refused to talk to the media, referring them to the family’s lawyer.