Royal Thai Police internal conflict prompts public investigation

[webfact]

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is currently embroiled in an internal conflict that has drawn substantial public interest. A committee headed by the former Deputy Police Chief, Police General Winai Thongsong, has been tasked with investigating the matter and has been given a timeframe of 60 days to unearth the truth.

 

According to Pol. Gen. Winai, this investigation is not a hollow gesture but a necessary action aimed at transparency. It has been mandated that progress updates are communicated regularly to the public.

 

The conflict’s escalation led Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to order the transfer of the national police chief, Torsak Sukvimol, and his deputy, Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, to the Prime Minister’s Office earlier this week. This action is a result of weeks of building tension, primarily due to money laundering allegations surrounding the BNK Master online gambling website against Big Joke.

Despite attempts, the police investigators were unsuccessful in issuing a summons for Big Joke to acknowledge the charge. However, Pol. Gen. Torsak announced that an arrest warrant and suspension from duty would be implemented if Big Joke failed to answer a second summons.

The situation took another turn when a team of lawyers representing Big Joke accused 30 officers of receiving bribes from the same gambling network linked to Surachate.

 

To prevent further damage to the RTP’s reputation, the prime minister initiated the formation of an impartial committee to investigate the conflict. During this 60-day investigation period, Pol. Gen. Kitrat Panphet will assume the role of acting national police chief.

 

Accepting bribes

 

The committee will scrutinise allegations of accepting bribes and making false accusations against Big Joke to obstruct his consideration for the police chief post. If the committee fails to complete the investigation within the allocated time, an extension will be sought.

 

“The investigation will not be a hollow gesture; concrete action will be taken,” assured Pol Gen Winai.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Srettha stated that the transfers of Pol. Gen. Torsak and Big Joke were necessary to ensure justice and public service. After a meeting of the Police Commission, the 62 year old Thai prime minister emphasised the importance of a dignified police force that serves the public interest without any external interference.

 

Claiming their innocence until the investigation is concluded, the Bangkok-born Srettha explained that the transfers were designed to facilitate due process and prevent any potential interference.

 

He urged the police to concentrate on addressing key issues such as narcotics, loan sharks, influential people, smuggled goods, and illegal firearms while discouraging any further public discussions about Pol Gen Torsak and Big Joke’s situation.

 

by Mitch Connor

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22

 

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[brianthainess]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

He urged the police to concentrate on addressing key issues such as narcotics, loan sharks, influential people, smuggled goods, and illegal firearms 

Don't they already concentrate on all of that at a very personal level?  I notice they have left out gambling.

Edited March 22 by brianthainess

[reefsurfah]

Nothing changes.  BiB always postering on who gets the biggest cut.  🤡👮🏽‍♀️

[connda]

It's interesting to watch the evolution of "Big Joke."  I remember when he came on the scene in order to "Clean Up The Corruption."  And yet it seems his entire public career has been one of controversy.  The dude might be as clean as a whistle -- or not.  Hard to tell.  If he's really anti-corruption, their are forces out there with the intention of ending his career. 

[Jim1000]

Sounds to me another case of search for the guilty followed by punishment of the innocent !

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, connda said:

The dude might be as clean as a whistle

Definitely not the case according to my sources.

 

He is good mates with the Watchman, so that should tell you everything you need to know. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

A committee headed by the former Deputy Police Chief, Police General Winai Thongsong, has been tasked with investigating the matter and has been given a timeframe of 60 days to unearth the truth.

It's rotten to the core... that's the truth.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

After a meeting of the Police Commission, the 62 year old Thai prime minister emphasised the importance of a dignified police force that serves the public interest without any external interference.

[zzaa09]

29 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

It's rotten to the core... that's the truth.

.....and it starts at the top. 

A generational thing that's almost impossible to overcome. 

[TheFishman1]

They’re all corrupt I guess they get jealous if they don’t get a bigger slice than the next guy amazing, Thailand, TIt

[Srikcir]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

To prevent further damage to the RTP’s reputation, the prime minister initiated the formation of an impartial committee to investigate the conflict.

A committee? Hardly very unbiased.

Why isn't the investigation forwarded to the Department of Special Investigations(DSI)? from Wikipedia:

• "DSI is a department of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand.
• It operates independently of the Royal Thai Police and is tasked with the investigation of certain "special cases". These include complex criminal cases, those affecting national security, those involving organised criminal organisations and those potentially implicating high-ranking government officials or police officers." 

Sorry, but a committee selected personally by a minority-elected PM doesn't give off a feeling of fair and transparent investigation. It doesn't project being judicially competent.

[Maybole]

11 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Definitely not the case according to my sources.

 

He is good mates with the Watchman, so that should tell you everything you need to know. 

Excuse my ignorance who is "the Watchman"?

[AndyAndyAndy]

I really think that "Big joke" is a very poorly chosen nickname.

 

Whenever news reports mention it, you can't be sure if they're talking about him or the Thai police. 🤔

[Mr Meeseeks]

35 minutes ago, Maybole said:

Excuse my ignorance who is "the Watchman"?

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30341354

 

He borrowed them off a dead friend. 🤣

[connda]

10 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said:

I really think that "Big joke" is a very poorly chosen nickname.

In Thai "joke" is rice soup.  As you can tell, it does not translate well into English as "joke" has a completely different meaning.

[bamnutsak]

On 3/22/2024 at 9:16 AM, webfact said:

To prevent further damage to the RTP’s reputation

 

Good luck with that one.

 

On 3/22/2024 at 9:16 AM, webfact said:

The situation took another turn when a team of lawyers representing Big Joke accused 30 officers of receiving bribes from the same gambling network linked to Surachate.

 

RTP gangs are turning on each other.

 

 

 

Close to "going to the mattresses".

 

 

 

[Des1]

On 3/22/2024 at 10:20 AM, connda said:

It's interesting to watch the evolution of "Big Joke."  I remember when he came on the scene in order to "Clean Up The Corruption."  And yet it seems his entire public career has been one of controversy.  The dude might be as clean as a whistle -- or not.  Hard to tell.  If he's really anti-corruption, their are forces out there with the intention of ending his career. 

It really is interesting to follow, a real life Thai soap opera. Is he another "Serpico"? Considering the nature of the RTP it's hard to believe he could acheive that rank without getting his hands dirty. This case could bring down some high ranking officers (maybe) so they want to take him out first.

 

It makes me think of the Thai guy who "exposed" corruption on a regular basis. Turns out he was a memeber of a big extortion gang. Sheesh!  Anyway, can hardly wait for the next episode.🙂

[worgeordie]

On 3/22/2024 at 9:16 AM, webfact said:

tasked with investigating the matter and has been given a timeframe of 60 days to unearth the truth.

60 days ,  Yes I am sure it will have been forgotten about by then, take your time

 

Regards worgeordie

[john donson]

hopefully one day, thai will invent AI to investigate the unusual wealth of police, politicians, ...

[connda]

3 hours ago, john donson said:

hopefully one day, thai will invent AI to investigate the unusual wealth of police, politicians, ...

AI is still GIGO: Garbage in; garbage out.

[Shoeless Joe]

On 3/22/2024 at 11:56 AM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Definitely not the case according to my sources.

 

He is good mates with the Watchman, so that should tell you everything you need to know. 

And what exactly are "your sources"?

Joe

[Mr Meeseeks]

17 hours ago, Shoeless Joe said:

And what exactly are "your sources"?

Joe

 

People that are far too important and high profile to name here on a public forum. 

[Yagoda]

On 3/22/2024 at 10:20 AM, connda said:

It's interesting to watch the evolution of "Big Joke."  I remember when he came on the scene in order to "Clean Up The Corruption."  And yet it seems his entire public career has been one of controversy.  The dude might be as clean as a whistle -- or not.  Hard to tell.  If he's really anti-corruption, their are forces out there with the intention of ending his career. 

And if he really is anti corruption, there are forces out there with the intention of protecting him too.

 

Thai politics is like the Politburo with added prohibtions on speculation. Any farang who thinks he has the answer is just demonstrating his own ignorance.

[Yagoda]

24 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

People that are far too important and high profile to name here on a public forum. 

In other words, non existent.

 

Me, on the other hand, Im perfectly willing to reveal that I spoke to Somchai Wohappenstancemeetingya, a tuk tukl driver originally from Mooban 14 in Sa Keo, who once picked up Uncle Tus driver, who told him he heard.....

[Jim1000]

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

In other words, non existent.

 

Me, on the other hand, Im perfectly willing to reveal that I spoke to Somchai Wohappenstancemeetingya, a tuk tukl driver originally from Mooban 14 in Sa Keo, who once picked up Uncle Tus driver, who told him he heard.....

Oh  the law is so very complicated in Thailand . I am just glad my wife keeps that  gun under her pillow !

(only joking ! )

[thesetat]

On 3/22/2024 at 9:16 AM, webfact said:

He urged the police to concentrate on addressing key issues such as narcotics, loan sharks, influential people, smuggled goods, and illegal firearms while discouraging any further public discussions about Pol Gen Torsak and Big Joke’s situation.

Wow! If this isn't telling people to be misdirected so they can wiggle out of being the focus on peoples attention... I do not know what is. Why discourage public discussions? Why tell people to look at other things and not this. Clearly the intent would be so they can be forgotten and the case can be done any way they want it to minimize damage to the RTP. 

[Shoeless Joe]

On 3/24/2024 at 12:06 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

People that are far too important and high profile to name here on a public forum. 

So you know "important and high profile" people?

Pffftttt...not a chance. Actually, YOU'RE a Big Joke.

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 4/3/2024 at 10:00 AM, Shoeless Joe said:

So you know "important and high profile" people?

Pffftttt...not a chance. Actually, YOU'RE a Big Joke.

Not all of us are potless two week tourists like you bub. 

[Shoeless Joe]

17 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Not all of us are potless two week tourists like you bub. 

As I thought. You're just confirming you know nothing.