At noon on March 22nd, Police Lieutenant General Surachate disclosed to the press via telephone that today, as prearranged, Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukwimol, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, informed Mr. Theerapong Wongsiwawilas, the Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, about his scheduled leave.

 

This leave is for personal matters in Nong Khai province. Subsequently, he will travel for a family vacation in the United Kingdom on March 26th, reported Siam Rath.

 

He plans to return to Thailand on April 1st. He will then schedule a formal press conference to provide further details to the media.

 

"Big Joke" is known for his unconventional methods and high-profile operations during his tenure, drawing both criticism and admiration from the public.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-03-23

 

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Big Joke" Submits Leave Application, Returning April 1st

 

 

Big Joke has submitted a leave application to the Prime Minister's Office to travel abroad with his family, returning on April 1st - while investigators have sent three summonses.

 

News outlets reported that Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, currently serving at the Prime Minister's Office, was summoned by investigators from Thung Song Hong Police Station for the second time to his residence in the Viphavadi area, reported INN.

 

However, he was not found there. Instead, rumors circulated that Lt. Gen. Surachate had gone to make merit and later requested official leave to travel to England, planning to return on April 1st.

 

Reports indicate that summonses from investigators were sent not only to his residence in the Viphavadi area but also to his residence in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and the Prime Minister's Office, totaling three locations.

 

According to regulations, Lt. Gen. Surachate is under the authority of Teerapong Wongsiwawilas, Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Office.

 

Therefore, any leave must comply with the regulations of the Prime Minister's Office, with approval from the Secretary-General, unrelated to the National Police Bureau, as he was ordered to assist in duties at the Prime Minister's Office, similar to Lt. Gen. Thitirat Sukhawan, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police.

 

Most recently, Lt. Gen. Surachate posted a message on his Facebook page, "Surachate Hakparn," saying, "Hello everyone. Today, various media outlets have reported that I will hold a press conference on April 1st. I confirm that I am disciplined and will not hold any press conferences. Regarding my leave, everything has been arranged, and I will travel with my family, returning on April 1st, 2024."

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-03-23

 

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As it seems that after all, the 'Joke was on him'...

The UK is the perfect place for hin.

You truly can't make this stuff up - Big Joke returning on April Fool's Day.

We knew April first in San Francisco as St. Stupid's Day https://brokeassstuart.com/2023/04/06/st-stupids-day-parade-2/

 

 

The last time he was ousted he went to India and did the monk-hood thing.

 

 

‘BIG JOKE’ LEFT COUNTRY, DAYS AFTER GOV’T WARNING

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/01/27/big-joke-left-country-days-after-govt-warning/

 

 

This is the equivalent of the Thai bus driver doing a runner after a "brake failure". 

Most thai police I know holiday 4 or 5 days overseas... at least once! 

That's nice.

No problem.. in a few years he will be received as a hero just like they did with Thaksin.... Just a good example that is now be done again... New Government new possibilties for those in exile.. Section 112 violations are much worse to be punished

In most countries criminals are often told not to leave the country, except in Thailand where they are encouraged to do so.

I hope he got a UK Visitor visa without any trouble.  I wonder if he used an agent?

A sort of slow motion runner?

2 minutes ago, mikebell said:

In most countries criminals are often told not to leave the country, except in Thailand where they are encouraged to do so.

I hope he got a UK Visitor visa without any trouble.  I wonder if he used an agent?

 

He has a diplomatic passport I think.

 

He travels internationally often, to clean up messes or brief other governments on issues, mostly on Thailand's efforts to control human trafficking.

He can visit New Scotland Yard then from the professionals find out how not to get caught, and the good news is it's just around the corner from Betfred and William Hill 🤔 

see you in a couple years.

Err judging by a plethora of past experiences, is it really a good idea to let him travel....?

Or simply taking advantage of empty flats in London and Dubai?

55 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

He has a diplomatic passport I think.

 

He travels internationally often, to clean up messes or brief other governments on issues, mostly on Thailand's efforts to control human trafficking.

He would probably have an government passport that is supposedly only for use on official business, not holidays. 

The question remains is, why is he traveling to the UK at this time and why was this 'holiday' approved?

 

I wonder if he'll meet up with a certain Red Bull family member.

 

 

3 minutes ago, anchadian said:

The question remains is, why is he traveling to the UK at this time and why was this 'holiday' approved?

 

I wonder if he'll meet up with a certain Red Bull family member.

 

 

Is the Red Bull family member in the UK?

9 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Is the Red Bull family member in the UK?

He is probably in Melbourne watching the F1 race and sipping champagne in the Red Bull hospitality paddock.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He plans to return to Thailand on April 1st.

What year?  Big Joke are you 'aving a larf. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

"Hello everyone. Today, various media outlets have reported that I will hold a press conference on April 1st. I confirm that I am disciplined and will not hold any press conferences.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Subsequently, he will travel for a family vacation in the United Kingdom on March 26th, reported Siam Rath.

 

oh really, that's nice isnt it..

 

lovely little UK trip for him and his family.

 

does he have to register his address once he lands within 24 hours?

 

bob.

He's doing a Thaksin.

Why go all that way to London just for a few days holiday when you subtract traveling time.  Maybe to check on his assets in the UK to ensure they are still safe and sound.  He would have enough money to buy a nice condominium in Mayfair.

Short notice trips for a family to the UK are quite expensive - if you are on a policeman's salary!

3 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

The last time he was ousted he went to India and did the monk-hood thing.

 

 

‘BIG JOKE’ LEFT COUNTRY, DAYS AFTER GOV’T WARNING

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/01/27/big-joke-left-country-days-after-govt-warning/

 

 

This is the equivalent of the Thai bus driver doing a runner after a "brake failure". 

And once he returned from his sabbatical in India, he was very quickly 'back in the saddle'. Watch this space.

Just now, mudcat said:

We knew April first in San Francisco as St. Stupid's Day

 

I didn't know Americans had a patron saint.🤔

15 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

And once he returned from his sabbatical in India, he was very quickly 'back in the saddle'. Watch this space.

 

Yes. Safe bet to say he will make yet another Lazarus-like rise. But it may take 30 - 60 days, according to the PM, to complete the "investigation".

 

The spat between Hapkarn and Sukmivol got a bit out of control and boiled into the public space. Hence the cool-down period. And a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme, primarily from the massive shake-downs (100's of millions of baht) will solve some of the distrust issues among the RTP factions.

 

The question remains what happens to Hapkarn's gang implicated in the Minnie gambling ring? All senior rank, two of whom are heads of Provincial Immigration offices. Does he have enough juice to keep them out of jail?

3 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

 

He has a diplomatic passport I think.

 

He travels internationally often, to clean up messes or brief other governments on issues, mostly on Thailand's efforts to control human trafficking.

He was in Sydney during ladt years Thai celebration day .

A lovely professional career man .

Deputy police chief Big Joke evades charges
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

A fresh summons notice is plastered on the door of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke’s residence. The embattled deputy finds himself at the centre of a money-laundering storm, with authorities hot on his trail.

 

Big Joke’s former abode in a plush Bangkok neighbourhood became the scene of drama as officers from Thung Song Hong Police Station descended upon it, armed with the weighty summons. However, the deputy police chief maintains he’s no longer a resident there, deflecting attention from his current whereabouts.

 

Despite attempts to dodge the media’s prying lenses, Big Joke was caught offering alms to monks near his former residence, refusing to pose for photographs, citing a plea for privacy.

The events take a surprising twist as authorities reveal plans to deliver the summons to Big Joke’s new office at the Prime Minister’s Office, further highlighting the gravity of the allegations against him, reported The Nation.

With both Big Joke and his superior, National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol, relegated to inactive posts, speculation runs rampant about the turmoil brewing within the Royal Thai Police.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Legal team denies Big Joke’s involvement with BNK Master

 

The legal team of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke divulged that nearly 30 police officers are being implicated in a corruption scandal linked to an illicitly operated online gambling network known as BNK Master. The officers under scrutiny are thought to have been involved in receiving underhand payments from the network, which has also implicated Big Joke.

 

Big Joke’s legal representative, Natthawit Netijarurote, stated that a comprehensive review of the evidence at hand and a thorough analysis of 34 bank accounts connected with the network has found no ties linking the 53 year old deputy national police chief to the BNK Master operation.

 

“We only sought a warrant for a specific suspect.”

 

Last week, the Criminal Court granted warrants for the apprehension of three officers and one civilian on the grounds of suspected money laundering linked to the BNK Master network which was dismantled last year. The individuals identified were Police Colonel Kittichai Sangkhathaworn, Police Sergeant Natthawut Wadwaew, Pol. Sgt. Natthanan Chuchak, and civilian Napansakorn Haekerd.

 

There have been some reports suggesting that the court had also summoned a high-ranking officer, later recognised as Big Joke, about the allegations. However, these claims were refuted by his legal team. Natthawit stated that while the police had sought a warrant for Big Joke’s arrest, they failed to present sufficient evidence to warrant this action.

 

There have been alleged attempts to discredit the deputy national police chief as he is currently the top contender for the position of national police chief, given that the incumbent chief is set to retire at the end of September.

 

Police Chief Torsak

 

National Police Chief Torsak Sukvimol disclosed that Big Joke has been requested to present himself at the Tao Poon Police Station tomorrow for questioning related to the BNK Master investigation. A formal notice was delivered to Big Joke’s residence last Sunday.

 

Torsak added that, should a second notice be issued and the deputy chief fails to comply, an arrest warrant would be issued and Big Joke would be suspended from duty.

 

Big Joke had previously contended that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had taken over the investigation of the Minnie online gambling network case, in which he was a suspect, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Torsak clarified that the police had summoned Big Joke concerning the BNK Master case, which is a separate matter. Torsak further stated that the deputy police chief is suspected of money laundering in both cases.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-23

 

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