DIANA Goh Li Fun and five others appeared in Phuket Provincial Court yesterday to hear charges relating to the alleged murder of a Canadian property developer in Patong in 2009.

The prosecution says that Ms Goh, a Singaporean and an expat resident of Phuket, commissioned a professional killer to shoot Francis Alex Degioanni outside his Patong home on his 34th birthday in February last year. Others allegedly aided and abetted her and the alleged gunman, Somchai Mingjaiyen, 30.

Five of the people who appeared in court on Phuket yesterday were transferred from jail in Bangkok to attend the hearing, the first at which the accused faced a formal hearing before two justices.

Four lawyers, acting for Ms Goh, Khun Somchai and two other accused have stepped away from their defence roles, one of the justices told the defendants yesterday.

All the defendants are pleading not guilty, the court heard. The five accused, wearing shackles, chatted to Ms Goh when they were brought into court.

Lawyers acting for the mother of Mr Degioanni had now asked to join proceedings, the defendants were told. None of the defendants objected.

Ms Goh is on bail, having appealed to the Supreme Court. Hearing are set to take place through September and October and on into 2011.

Suwan Simet, 33, is charged with being the gunman's companion. One friend of Ms Goh, Sumon Sumen, 39, is accused of helping to plan the murder and putting the money for the gunmen into a bank account.

Another friend, Netnapa Witayatamsopon, 37, is accused of helping to plan to murder and finding the gunmen.

Eakapon Lakrod, 35, a friend of Khun Sumon's, allegedly planned the killing by observing Mr Degioanni's behavior and deciding the place and method of execution.