The first hearing of the terrorism case against 24 United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leaders was on Thursday postponed until Friday because two defendants could not appear before the Criminal Court.
The first examination of witnesses in the case was originally scheduled for today.
In this case, 24 leading members of the UDD - including Veerakan Musikhapong, Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikuar, Weng Tojirakarn, and Korkaew Pikulthong - are charged with terrorism for their leading role in the UDD protests between Feb 28 and May 20, 2010.
UDD lawyer Winyat Chartmontri asked the court to postpone the hearing, saying that Mr Nattawut, the third defendant and currently deputy commerce minister, was accompanying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on a trip to Pattani province.
He said Mr Charan, AKA Yak Loipoon, the 13th defendant, also could not appear at the court because he was being detained in the Ayutthaya prison on charges of attempted murder and violating the Firearms Act.
The court ordered the hearing adjourned to Dec 14, starting at 9am.