Big Joke latest: Controversial cop back at RTP HQ as top advisory position awaits

Image: Naewna

Controversial and high profile policeman Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan will definitely be returning to the Thai police after nearly two years in exile.

And speculation if rife that he will be given a senior advisory position that looks to have been created especially for him. 

The man known by his nickname of Big Joke was sent back to the force from his role in the prime minister's office by order on March 5th.

A role at RTP HQ has been created that will map out police strategy to bring it more closely in line with the policies of the government.

Such a position that has been approved by the Police Commission is part of restructing in the force but it would see Surachate enjoy the rank equivalent to an assistant police chief.

Quite a sudden rise from his paper shuffling existentce since he was unceremoniously removed from being chief of the immigration bureau in 2019.

Daily News and other media reported that both the PM and RTP chief Gen Suwat "Big Pat" Chaengyodsuk denied that the post had been created for Surachate but now it appears a fait accompli.

The question only remains as to when Surachate will take up his new role. April has been mooted. 

Mystery always surrounded Surachate's removal from the RTP.

The poster boy of the force had been deputy at the tourist police but acted as though he were the boss.

Then as commissioner of the IB he was seen jetting around the world solving crimes and being seen in Thailand busting drug dealers, overstaying foreigners and fraudsters.

Media savvy, he surrounded himself with a team of officers to handle PR.

But he upset someone and some suggested it was due to his insistence that an investigation into the 2 billion baht biometrics system at IB be carried out.

Famously he instigated a "no tips" policy at the IB then found himself at the PM's office with Lt-Gen Sompong "Big Oud" Chingduang moving from the border police to take over his role.

Further controversy followed last year when someone took potshots at Surachate's Lexus when it was parked outside an establishment in the Patpong area of Bangkok. 

Surachate said this was because he opposed the biometrics system which helps to ID foreigners.

Further drama resulted from the shooting incident when then RTP chief Gen Chakthip "Big Peh" Chaijinda sacked deputy chief Wirachai Songmetta after the release of an audio recording in which Chakthip told him to stay out of the Big Joke case. 

But for now Big Joke's new post remains unconfirmed though Gen Suwat would neither confirm nor deny things saying it was too soon to jump to conclusions. 

That has not stopped the Thai media, however, who are saying that two and two make four.

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Did they ever find the people who shot his car up that time?

7 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Daily News and other media reported that both the PM and RTP chief Gen Suwat "Big Pat" Chaengyodsuk denied that the post had been created for Surachate but now it appears a fait accompli.

caught out in Another lie

On 3/13/2021 at 8:21 AM, rooster59 said:

Daily News and other media reported that both the PM and RTP chief Gen Suwat "Big Pat" Chaengyodsuk denied that the post had been created for Surachate but now it appears a fait accompli

Would they know the difference between <deleted> and clay?

remember when Big Joke was on a roll cleaning up Immigration? 

I hope they don't kill him. 

The fact he has been brought back shows he knows too much about the shenanigans that he been going on, and they are trying to keep the lid on it.

24 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

remember when Big Joke was on a roll cleaning up Immigration? 

I hope they don't kill him. 

Spot on.

When he took over CM Immigration a while back things improved immediately.

When he left, everything - more or less - reverted to the way they were before.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

too soon to jump to conclusions.

Conclusions are like opinions, everyone has one.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

two years in exile.

AFAIK, he was still in Thailand, just in a different position. The title makes it read like he went to Cambodia or something.

5 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

Did they ever find the people who shot his car up that time?

"... he was seen jetting around the world solving crimes and being seen in Thailand busting drug dealers, overstaying foreigners and fraudsters..."
He was a big investigator in the world but unable to find the people who shot his car?

Same old Thai scenario.  The bigger the lie the closer to the truth ! Lying is part of the Thai culture. They are always scared to say that they don't know something so they will make up a story or lie.

...told yous...he's done his sabbatical and now ready to roll.

I would have loved to see the guy who took his place sent to the PM's office so that Big Joke could get his old job back, no doubt that ain't going to happen, but his new position will probably open him up to other bigger opportunities.

I do hope he presses on with the court case against what's his face.

6 hours ago, YetAnother said:

caught out in Another lie

Corruption is nothing but  "Big Joke" to those who run this Country

1 hour ago, wombat said:

Conclusions are like opinions, everyone has one.

Conclusions are based on facts, or at least should be.

Whatever the post is, and whatever reason it was created, will likely be quite minor. He caused the administration a great deal of embarrassment and humiliation previously (if that is even possible with these absolute goons) by grandstanding, and expressing his extremely racist and xenophobic points of view, constantly. He was finally dismissed. It is likely he is calling in some favors. It will not result in much, unless these administration and immigration guys are even more ignorant and tone deaf than I think they are (which is quite possible!). To describe the joke as a fool would be an insult to all fools worldwide. An ignoramus is probably closer to the mark. 

6 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

remember when Big Joke was on a roll cleaning up Immigration? 

I hope they don't kill him. 

Jokes aside..  (pun not intended) I hope he returns...  

I assume his new job will be to somehow lure back foreigners in and then to chase them out again.

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

That has not stopped the Thai media, however, who are saying that two and two make four.

Isn't that what its supposed to do? It becomes a problem when two and two make five...

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

I assume his new job will be to somehow lure back foreigners in and then to chase them out again.

With of course the necessary banners and finger pointing.......Sherlock's back !  

4 hours ago, farangroby said:

"... he was seen jetting around the world solving crimes and being seen in Thailand busting drug dealers, overstaying foreigners and fraudsters..."
He was a big investigator in the world but unable to find the people who shot his car?

Also can't find the Red Bull guy.. 

If only I had the skills to be a soap opera screen writer.....

 

This is truly Soap Opera material... big joke, little john, Billy Bob.....  Biometrics schemes and Car shoot ups? 

All under the deputy prime ministers noses....   and they wonder why investors and businesses are leaving Thailand. 

Days of our lives in Thailand.... 

As the World turns in S.E. Asia....

The young and the foolish.

 

 

10 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Famously he instigated a "no tips" policy at the IB

Which didn't work because of all the foreigners terrified of not getting their visa. 

Has his case against the PM been dropped ?

Didn't miss him for a sec. One too many on the payroll.

4 hours ago, farangroby said:

"... he was seen jetting around the world solving crimes and being seen in Thailand busting drug dealers, overstaying foreigners and fraudsters..."
He was a big investigator in the world but unable to find the people who shot his car?

Some of those drug dealers / smugglers are in the Thai government, some were convicted and jailed in Australia, so I imagine he stepped on some toes. Cough cough....Thamanat Prompow, AKA Manat Bophlom, 

If I was him I too might have got cold feet trying to dig up who tried to shoot my car, the fact he wasn't dead may have been incentive enough to leave it alone.

It would be a very brave or stupid man to keep on digging.

 

 

7 minutes ago, Deli said:

Didn't miss him for a sec. One too many on the payroll.

What was wrong with him?

As I remember it he was removed from his position put behind some <deleted> ass desk so after he quit or resign? ( now it is exiled )  guess his lawsuit has some merit or that he pull out that special card at just the right time and he says I'm big joke for a reason!????

4 hours ago, Strongheart said:

Corruption is nothing but  "Big Joke" to those who run this Country

 

No reason for us in the West to sit on a high horse !

Only the PR is better ... calling it lobbyism and philanthropy.

10 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

remember when Big Joke was on a roll cleaning up Immigration? 

I hope they don't kill him. 

  Me too . 

     He could be a good man , down under ..