Bangkok Post – Suspended ‘Big Joke’ demands reinstatement from PM

Former deputy police chief threatens to bring the case before corruption hunters

Suspended deputy national police chief General Surachate Hakparn said on Monday he would request an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) unless Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin fully implements his reinstatement.

General Surachate, also known as Big Joke, said the Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Police Commission and as such can instruct the commission to lift the suspension order.

“The Prime Minister said that the order was incomplete… If the Prime Minister acts negligently and does not abide by the law, I will have to take legal action against the Prime Minister according to the law,” General Surachate said.

In April, then-acting national police chief General Kitrat Panphet signed an order for the immediate suspension of General Surachate over allegations that he and four subordinates were involved in money laundering for the BNK Master gambling network.

Pol General Surachate also said he would file a complaint with the NACC against the person who signed his suspension, without mentioning Pol General Kitrat’s name.

General Surachate said there had been obvious attempts to mistreat him and if he was reinstated he would review the dismissal orders against 70 to 80 other police officers.

General Kitrat said on Monday that he based his decision to suspend on the seriousness of each case, relevant facts and applicable laws.

He also said that he followed orders while serving as national police chief. His role as acting chief ended with the reinstatement of the national police chief, General Torsak Sukvimol.

General Kitrat said he never considered succeeding General Torsak, who is retiring at the end of September.

National police chief General Torsak Sukvimol (left) and his deputy General Surachate Hakparn on March 20 when their transfer to the Prime Minister’s Office was ordered. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)