The Criminal Court will begin Thursday hearing the case involving six young men and an-18-year-old girl accused of killing a disabled bread deliveryman in May.
Prosecutors Wednesday forwarded the case -- in which Somkiat Sichan, 35, was stabbed to death at a bakery in the Lat Phrao area on May 1 -- to the court. The accused are also charged with illegal possession of weapons and attacking the 'Pang Horm' bakery.
The male suspects were armed with knives when they stormed the shop on Chokchai 4 Road in Bangkok, following a quarrel with Somkiat, who had difficulty walking, over a motorcycle accident, according to prosecutors.
The male suspects are Akkaradet Thatsana, 22, Phiraphon Yotphonganan, 21, Arin Yotphonganan, 19, Mek Phonkraison, 19, Monmanat Saengpho, 21, and an 18-year-old teenager who has not been named. Mr Phiraphon, Mr Arin, Mr Mek and Mr Monmanat Saengpho, 21, are reported to be police officers' sons.
The 18 year-old female suspect, whose identity was also withheld, was one of two underaged girls present at the scene. An eyewitness told police he heard the girl encouraging the young men to attack Somkiat.
All seven suspects deny the charges, while police have decided not to press a premeditated murder charge against them.
Anantachai Chaidet, lawyer for the victim's family, has vowed to present evidence in court showing the suspects were violent and brutal. He had earlier asked prosecutors to add the premeditated charge, saying most of the suspects were armed with knives and went to the shop with the intent to kill.
During the fight, Somkiat tried to defend himself from the group assault, in which the suspects used blades and bricks to attack him, according to prosecutors. The victim later died in hospital, while Mr Phiraphon suffered a cut while attacking the victim, police say.
Somkiat's mother asked the court not to grant the suspects bail. The family also petitioned the court to allow them to be a joint plaintiff, Mr Anantachai said.