Big Joke Pushes for Impeachment of Anti-Corruption Commissioner

[webfact]

 

Police General Surachate Hakparn, commonly known as Big Joke, has initiated a bold move to impeach a member of Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). His efforts come amid his own suspension from the Deputy Police Chief position due to allegations of involvement in an online gambling syndicate.

 

Big Joke submitted a petition, amassing 20,000 signatures, to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. The petition, received on June 18 by the House Speaker’s spokesman, Kampee Disthakorn, pushes for the impeachment of an unnamed NACC commissioner. Big Joke claims the commissioner in question has acquired unusual wealth, committed malfeasance, and violated ethical standards.

 

While refusing to name the commissioner outright, it is widely believed that Big Joke's target is Suchart Trakulkasemsuk. The feud between them dates back to April when Big Joke accused the NACC of bias and sought to have Suchart disqualified from investigating his case.

 

Big Joke’s impeachment petition is significant as it marks the first instance in Thai history where such action against an independent body has been proposed under Article 236 of the Constitution. This article allows citizens to request the removal of officials engaged in severe ethical transgressions.

 

Big Joke's campaign kicked off with a signature-gathering event at the J A Plus Hotel in Pattaya. By the event's conclusion, he had already secured over 13,000 signatures, confident that the petition would soon meet the 20,000 mark.

 

“This is not politically motivated, nor is it an act of revenge for the NACC’s bribery investigation against me,” Big Joke stated, emphasising the non-political nature of his actions.

 

As Big Joke battles these allegations, the Royal Thai Police have issued a summons for him and four other officers linked to the BNK Master gambling website. This summons is part of a broader disciplinary investigation led by Deputy National Chief Sarawut Kanpanich, following Big Joke’s suspension on April 18.

 

Big Joke maintains his innocence and has even announced his intention to run for the senatorial election, showing steadfast determination to continue serving the public despite the ongoing controversies.

 

The unfolding drama highlights systemic challenges within Thai law enforcement and anti-corruption efforts, as high-stakes accusations and power struggles continue to shape public discourse.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-19

 

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[motdaeng]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Big Joke claims the commissioner in question has acquired unusual wealth, committed malfeasance, and violated ethical standards.

 

wouldn't that making every politician and higher government officer guilty ...?

[thesetat2013]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“This is not politically motivated, nor is it an act of revenge for the NACC’s bribery investigation against me,” Big Joke stated, emphasising the non-political nature of his actions.

Yeah right. Not an act of revenge on someone he has been in a fued with for many years. Not an act done because he can not do his job anymore and is facing charges. He is just a good citizen now trying to make sure other corrupt officials get what is coming to them the same it is coming to him. 

[hotchilli]

Don't get angry, just get even.... best advice my ole man ever gave to me.

Seems Surachate is getting even.

[Ben Zioner]

I find it interesting that one wants to prove his innocence by collecting signatures. Even Trump..

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

marks the first instance in Thai history where such action against an independent body has been proposed

the NACC an "independent body", my ass!

 

WIKIPEDIA

The core mandates of the commission are to root out corruption by investigating unusual wealth or abuses of power for personal gain committed by government officials or politicians. Critics have charged that the commission tackles issues of a political nature that do not involve corruption per se. Thus, "...it has not remained politically impartial, the core quality of an independent agency."

The NACC is known for its lengthy investigations of corruption complaints filed by the public and for its lack of success in prosecuting the rich or powerful. NACC's perceived lack of performance has attracted scorn in Thailand. Typical is the assessment of a Bangkok Post editorial, "The biggest disappointment, as it has been for years, is the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). As the leading graftbusters [sic] in the country ranked 101st least corrupt, the NACC has done little to justify itself...Since the military coup that promised crackdowns on corruption, the NACC has concluded only a single case—the malfeasance investigation which led to the indictment of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra. That is the very opposite of a war on corruption." One columnist went so far as to relabel the NACC the "National Allowing Corruption Commission".

[TheFishman1]

They’re all corrupt here, including big joke all his houses. The car he drives yeah on his salary. I’m sure he can afford that. TIT

[AhFarangJa]

18 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

They’re all corrupt here, including big joke all his houses. The car he drives yeah on his salary. I’m sure he can afford that. TIT

Nah, They all married into money, everyone knows that..........Also, there is no prostitution in Pattaya......

[cncltd1973]

amazing all the petitions, motions and cases against current and former PMs, deputies, ministers in all departments.

 

'where there's smoke there's fire', Thailand appears to be burning from the inside out

[retarius]

Big Joke wake up man. Leave the country. No justice for you in Thailand.

[sammieuk1]

Big Joke claims the commissioner in question has acquired unusual wealth, committed malfeasance, and violated ethical standards.

 

One day in the far and distant future someone will be found that hasn't 🤔

[Gottfrid]

It´s a nightmare, with a big joke in the middle of the story and sadly looking clowns all around

[harryviking]

There seems to be a "war" between the "dirty" part of politics against those who want to clean up the mess! The last so-called "election" was just a reminder that things are not good in Thai politics at the moment. I consider "Big Joke" to be an  important person in this battle!

[john donson]

pot, kettle, black

[khunjeff]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The petition, received on June 18 by the House Speaker’s spokesman, Kampee Disthakorn, pushes for the impeachment of an unnamed NACC commissioner.

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

While refusing to name the commissioner outright

 

How on earth can you demand that an official be removed, but not specify which official you're talking about?

[spidermike007]

Although it's safe to say that the anti-corruption commissioner is likely extremely corrupt, in a land where corruption is the norm, I have always assumed that the big joke is extremely corrupt too, having headed immigration and then been deputy director of the RTP. 

 

However, the joke sure puts on a good show. 

[lordgrinz]

Go get-em, Don Quixote!