Picture: Siam Rath

 

Thailand's most famous policeman swapped his RTP tunic for a suit and tie as he outlined his activities to combat human trafficking in women and children and issues regarding the use of foreign labor in Thailand.

 

Pol Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan - universally known as Big Joke in his homeland - along with Chetthaphan Maksamphan held meetings with US representatives regarding their work to ensure that workers from neighboring countries are treated fairly and receive the same welfare and benefits as Thais.

 

The Thais were praised particularly for their work at a clothes sweat shop in Mae Sot, Tak, north western Thailand, reported Siam Rath.

 

Surachate has been tasked in the last two years with tackling illegal practices in the fisheries industry. The US reps acknowledged this was a tough job but pointed him in the direction of other countries such as Panama and Jordan for their work in other related areas.

 

In his role as special advisor to the RTP Surachate has also been highly active in pursuing justice for victims of human trafficking and more recently has worked in the area of "grey investment" by illegal Chinese nationals that has resulted in deportations and blacklisting of individuals.

 

The latter came after Surachate was promoted to deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police in a move widely seen as the final rehabilitation after he was demoted from head of immigration in 2019.

 

Following his meetings he met with US congressman for New Jersey Christopher H Smith who praised the lieutenant general for his work in many areas.

 

Thailand has been under pressure from the US authorities to improve its record in human trafficking and labor areas, notes ASEAN NOW, and Surachate is widely regarded as the man pushing forward Thailand's improvement agenda that is drawing wide praise from America.

 

The country's ratings in these regards are improving but there are still improvements to be made, which are accepted by both sides.

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-03-04

 

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PM material right there!

Well deserved praise.

He was a new broom that swept CM Immigration clean a few years ago.

Not long after he arrived the levels of courtesy and efficiency improved noticably.

After he left the situation reverted to the status quo ante very quickly.

A visit to CM Immigration is usually a deplorable waste of time dealing with a crowded, disorganized, and stressful scene.

More high ranking immigration cops like Big Joke are needed to sort out this mess.

He should be the next Thai - PM.  I hope it's not wishful thinking.

1 hour ago, hughrection said:

PM material right there!

I wish, the only man to do what he preaches.

Well done. Big Joke….. ! 

Edited March 4, 20233 yr by DJ54
AI