By Kesinee Taengkiew

Siriphong Kanjananiwit,40, appeared at the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court hearing yesterday in which he heard and acknowledged the charges. The defendant confessed to the murdering of Sunan Srisusan, 38, and her Thai-Japanese son Cho Makino, the mutilating of the boy's body to cover-up the crime, and carrying a firearm without permission.

Siriphong however protested his innocence on four other charges: attempted murder of Sunan's 13-year-old daughter identified as Mint; armed robbery at night; sexual molestation of a minor under 15; and restraint of freedom. He also asked the court to assign a pro bono lawyer for him. The court listed the case for trial on the morning of January 25.

Siripong later told reporters from his detention cell he had confessed to only three counts and denied four others. He said that he hadn't collected evidence yet for his defence in the upcoming trial.

He said - in accordance with his wishes- no relatives has visited him at Bangkok Special Prison. He said he would not apply for a bail release because he wanted to pay for the crimes he committed. He didn't want to apologise to Sunan's spirit.

The recovery in an abandoned house on October 12 of five plastic bags containing Cho's body parts, and the previous discovery of a woman's body on October 10, led to an intensive police investigation, and to part-time taxi driver Siriphong confessing his involvement.