A lawyer representing Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, known as “Big Joke”, has filed a criminal case against a former close aide for allegedly making a false police report, with the Criminal Court setting an inquiry hearing for April 20, 2026. The case centres on accusations that the former aide filed a complaint intended to damage Pol Gen Surachate’s reputation and expose him to criminal liability. The court’s acceptance of the case moves the dispute into a formal judicial process.
On February 2, 2026, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, lawyer Sanyaphat Sarmart said he had been authorised by Pol Gen Surachate, the former deputy national police chief, to lodge the complaint. The defendant is Pol Lt Col Khit Prayaket, a former subordinate and close associate. The charge alleges making a false report to cause another person to face criminal punishment.
The complaint follows an earlier police report by Pol Lt Col Khit alleging that Pol Gen Surachate assaulted him. According to the lawyer, the allegation caused reputational harm and led to public misunderstanding, prompting the decision to pursue legal action to protect his client’s rights. An earlier complaint had also been filed with the Crime Suppression Division, which remains under investigation by inquiry officers.
Mr Sanyaphat said the decision to bring the case directly to court was intended to ensure a faster route through the justice system. He stated that the dispute necessarily involved one party providing untrue information, which would need to be tested through evidence and witness examination in court. The Criminal Court accepted the case as Case No. Aor. 308/2569 and scheduled an inquiry hearing for April 20, 2026, at 9.00am.
The lawyer also said Pol Gen Surachate and his legal team are considering further legal action against individuals who have accused him of wrongdoing and caused reputational damage. This includes cases involving the alleged dissemination of medical records through the media, with potential filings expected within the coming week. He added that claims by police sources suggesting more than 10 former subordinates were preparing complaints against Pol Gen Surachate could proceed if supported by evidence.
In addition, the legal team confirmed that 200 sets of documents were being prepared for submission later. These documents are to be delivered to the Senate president and all senators to support deliberations on whether to accept an alleged gold bribery case file prepared by investigators. The submission is intended to assist the Senate’s consideration process.
InsideThailand reported that the court inquiry in April will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Investigations by police into related complaints are continuing independently. Decisions by the Senate on whether to accept the bribery case file are also pending.
Picture courtesy of InsideThailand
Key Takeaways
• Pol Gen Surachate’s lawyer has filed a false report case against Pol Lt Col Khit, with a court inquiry set for April 20, 2026.
• The dispute stems from an earlier assault allegation that the defence says damaged Pol Gen Surachate’s reputation.
• The legal team is also pursuing possible defamation cases and submitting 200 document sets to the Senate over a bribery file.
Related Stories
More-witnesses-accuse-big-joke-of-bullying
Court-dismisses-big-jokes-case-against-administrative-court
Adapted by ASEAN Now from InsideThailand 2026-02-03
