BANGKOK, THAILAND – The corruption case against former deputy police chief General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn entered a decisive phase as investigators handed their file to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the ex-officer awaited a ruling on his suspension from the Supreme Administrative Court.
Case File Handed to Anti-Corruption Commission
Lead investigator Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew confirmed that the Anti-Corruption Division had delivered the case file to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) under Section 61 of the national anti-corruption laws. According to him, the probe was more than 90 percent complete, with remaining documents to follow while the case formally rested with the commission. The NACC had 30 days to decide whether to pursue the case itself or return the file to investigators.
Jaroonkiat said the file contained extensive evidence, including audio and video recordings expected to be made public in due course. Statements from former subordinates of the ex-police chief were also part of the record.
Alleged Gold Bar Bribe and Gambling Links
At the centre of the corruption allegations was a suspected attempt by General Surachate to offer gold bars with a total weight of 246 baht as a bribe. The alleged target was a commissioner of the NACC.
Investigators stated the supposed gold gift was intended to influence an ongoing NACC investigation into an online gambling case. Surachate firmly rejected this accusation.
In parallel, criminal investigations were under way into alleged links to the gambling platform BNKMASTER and suspected money laundering. The former deputy police chief was accused of involvement in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and of being implicated in money laundering cases in his capacity as a state official.
Multiple Suspects and Dispute with Commissioners
So far, six suspects had been identified in the corruption case, with some admitting the allegations while others had not. Their names had not been fully disclosed.
Jaroonkiat stated he considered the evidence sufficient to secure convictions of those responsible. Investigators had also lodged objections against NACC commissioners who refused to take part in the inquiry, and a letter was to be sent to the president of the Senate detailing the role of these commissioners.
Surachate Denies All Allegations
General Surachate rejected all accusations, denying any involvement in bribery, in running or supporting the BNKMASTER site, or in money laundering activities. He sharply criticised the anti-corruption police investigation, calling it unlawful.
According to his account, subordinates had been induced, up to and including the prospect of possible re-employment, to give incriminating testimony against him. He claimed there had been irregularities in the collection of evidence and pointed to alleged pressure on officials involved.
Legal Battle over Police Suspension
Alongside the corruption probe, a second politically sensitive case concerned Surachate’s suspension from the police service. On 18 April 2024, Order No. 178/2567 was issued against him by the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police.
The measure followed allegations of serious disciplinary misconduct in connection with the BNKMASTER gambling site, and on 1 April 2024 the Criminal Court had already issued an arrest warrant for the former top officer. The suspension order was signed by National Police Commissioner General Kittirat Phanphet and countersigned by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Supreme Administrative Court Set to Rule
Surachate considered the suspension unlawful and cited personal disadvantages and damage, prompting him to petition the Supreme Administrative Court for reinstatement. His internal appeal to the Civil Service Commission of the Royal Thai Police had been rejected.
The Supreme Administrative Court scheduled 9 January for its decision, with the defendants being the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, the Police Civil Service Ethics Committee and the Prime Minister. The court was to determine whether the suspension order was lawful, a ruling seen as pivotal for Surachate’s career because it could either enable his return to the Royal Thai Police or confirm his suspension.
Accusations Against Senior Judges Add Pressure
The case gained further intensity amid allegations of interference within the administrative judiciary. Surachate filed criminal complaints against senior administrative judges at the Criminal Court for Corruption Cases.
The dispute around “Big Joke” had become one of the country’s most prominent police scandals, involving the leadership of law enforcement, anti-corruption bodies and now the highest administrative court. In the coming days, the NACC was required to decide within 30 days how to proceed with the corruption file, while the Supreme Administrative Court prepared its judgment.
Future of Former Deputy Police Chief Uncertain
Surachate maintained he was completely innocent, described the proceedings against him as unlawful and questioned the integrity of the investigations. Investigators, for their part, referred to extensive evidence and expressed confidence that they could secure a conviction.
The decisions of the anti-corruption commission and the administrative court were expected to shape the future of the former deputy police chief, while criminal and disciplinary investigations continued unabated.