On February, 23, 2003, Jakkraphan "Nong Fluke" Srisa-ard was allegedly killed by a stray bullet from an officer's gun while the arresting team was trying to apprehend his drug-dealing father Sathaporn Srisa-ard.

Nong Fluke's mother, Phornwipha Kerdrungreung, who was also at the scene, went missing and hasn't been seen since.

Three relatives of the Srisa-ard family yesterday met with Charan and submitted evidence including a report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) investigation that identified Phornwipha as a key witness to the shooting.

Charan then told reporters that if there were anything the Justice Ministry could do to help in the disappearance of Phornwipha, he would ensure full cooperation.

As for Nong Fluke's death, Charan said the Lawyers Council of Thailand had filed a lawsuit against Bang Chan police and the case was now in court. Though the trial was moving at a very slow pace, the ministry could not intervene, he said.

The boy's uncle, Somchai Kerdrungreung, later said it had been three years and nine months since they had called for justice over the boy's death.

They had appealed to the NHRC, the Office of the Attorney General, the commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1 Maj-General Pramote Pathumwong and the Justice Ministry.

Unable to give testimony at the case's first court hearing last Monday, Somchai said he would attend the court hearing this coming Monday morning. Somchai said he learned from Sathaporn that after the three split from other family members on a merit-making trip on February 23, Sathaporn - along with Phornwipha and Nong Fluke - delivered 6,000 tablets of ya ba.

When they arrived, Sathaporn was apprehended by four or five undercover police officers. Phornwipha tried to drive away with the boy, but police chased after her and fired at the truck, Somchai said.

Sathaporn was taken to Nang Lerng Police Station, where he was informed by officers that his wife got away but his son had been killed, he said.

A lawsuit against three police officers involved in the sting operation was dismissed in 2004 on the grounds that the police claimed there were gunmen firing at the police to protect Sathaporn's truck - and a stray bullet killed Nong Fluke, Somchai said.

Somchai also said he believed Phornwipha was dead or she would have contacted the family by now.

Prior to the shooting, the family did not know Sathaporn - who is serving a 25-year jail term in Ratchaburi Prison - was selling drugs, he said. His father was heartbroken when he found out -and he died in June.

"Every year we would make merit for Nong Fluke on February 23. We miss him so much because he was a good, bright and cheerful boy. He said he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up and once drew a picture of himself as a policeman chasing after thieves. In the end, he was killed by the police," said Somchai, his voice shaking with emotion.