A Spanish chef has appeared in court charged with the gruesome murder of his gay lover on the Thai island Koh Pha Ngan.

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, is accused of the premeditated murder and concealing the body of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, in Thailand, on August 3.

Prosecutors put the charges to Daniel at the Koh Samui Provincial Court in Surat Thani this morning. He is expected to enter a plea later today.

During the process, the authorities banned the press from recording when the defendant left the vehicle. However, Daniel's father Rodolfo Sancho, a well-known Spanish actor, was seen arriving at the building with an interpreter.

The statement hearing was postponed from 9 AM to 1.30 PM due to Bronchalo's request for a Spanish translator.