Surachate 'Big Joke' Hakparn challenges Thai PM over dismissal

[webfact]

 

Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, known as Big Joke, has issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Big Joke threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against the PM if the order temporarily dismissing him from the police force is not revoked.

 

Big Joke has already appealed to the Police Virtue Protection Committee and petitioned the prime minister to review the contentious order. He hinted at legal action for what he sees as negligence if Srettha does not address the issue.

 

The dismissal, initially issued in April by Deputy National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet, was later deemed illegitimate by the Council of State. Kitrat had temporarily taken over as acting police chief to quell a feud within the police force. The Commission is set to review the dismissal order tomorrow, with Srettha expected to preside.

 

 

Big Joke criticised Srettha's leadership, challenging the PM to resolve a conflict that threatens public confidence in the police. He also announced plans to file a malfeasance complaint against recently reinstated National Police Chief Torsak Sukvimol if the dismissal stands. Additionally, he aims to bring a complaint against Kitrat to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging procedural lapses in his dismissal.

 

In response, Kitrat insisted the dismissal was thoroughly reviewed and confirmed that Big Joke’s appeal is being examined. While dismissing rumours about succeeding as national police chief, he remained firm on the legitimacy of the original order.

 

As this drama unfolds, the outcome of tomorrow’s Police Commission meeting and the proceedings of the Police Virtue Protection Committee will be crucial. These decisions will not only determine Big Joke’s future within the police force but could also significantly impact the public’s trust in law enforcement leadership.

 

The nation watches closely as this high-stakes and high-profile conflict in Thailand’s upper law enforcement echelons reaches a critical juncture.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-06-25

 

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[JoePai]

This could now get interesting

[mokwit]

The problem with someone being 53 years old and being made Chief of Police is that 7 other Generals won't get their turn.

 

 

[Pouatchee]

i just cant trust any pig... no matter how many apparent good deeds he apparently did. when public officials are wealthier than what their salaries could possibly allow, there has to be something rotten somewhere. 

[lordgrinz]

"...I never broke the law, I AM THE LAW!"

[John Drake]

Every time you think he's out . . . . This is why I keep posting he'll be back.

[Andrewdownunder]

Excellent move. Very interesting.

[TheFishman1]

The guy has so much more wealth than what his salary is come on you know the guy corrupt TIT

[tgw]

what a big joke this all seems to be

[Thumbs]

I personally like this guy immigration was a lot less hassle when he was in charge but his comment about his suspension harming the public’s opinion on the police force is a stretch, that ship has long sailed now every Thai i speak to thinks the uniform is the only way to distinguish them from the criminals

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Police Virtue Protection Committee

What is an example of virtue?
Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues.

 

Police Virtue Delusion Protection Committee

 

[Mavideol]

ok, let's get ready, dirty laundry and hidden skeletons will be out in a glimpse

[hotchilli]

In-fighting at every level... it would be okay if it was about ability and history of doing the job, but it's not.

It's about being promoted to a position of power, status and access to wealth.

Goes for the government as-well

[NemoH]

35 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

The guy has so much more wealth than what his salary is come on you know the guy corrupt TIT

Everyone of them is wealthy … only if you tell me they were already wealthy before they join the police force then I will start to trust them a little … lol

[wensiensheng]

Have to say that I think this guy is digging his own grave.

[geisha]

41 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

The guy has so much more wealth than what his salary is come on you know the guy corrupt TIT

You keep babbling on about his wealth when you have been told time and time again he and his family have personal wealth , stop posting rubbish if you’re unable to read printed facts. Boring. 

[Nairbem]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

"...I never broke the law, I AM THE LAW!"

Yes, Donald,  we know.

[Lopburikid]

55 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

The guy has so much more wealth than what his salary is come on you know the guy corrupt TIT

Thats what I thought, but some on here told me he has a wife who is worth billions, not in Baht, but in US$. I have yet to see evidence of it.

[spidermike007]

Chances of this guy being innocent are so infinitesimally small, he has an incredible PR machine that's been representing him for years, and they've portrayed him as being this great saintly crime fighter. When likely the opposite is true, after all how many of the perps that he has gone after have received prison sentences? 

[thailand49]

Politics 101, Big Joke is off and running next election.

Screw being police chief Im aiming higher dump the boy scout uniform when Im looking good in designer suits.🤑

[khunjeff]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Police Virtue Protection Committee

 

Seriously??

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Big Joke criticised Srettha's leadership, challenging the PM to resolve a conflict that threatens public confidence in the police.

 

It's not the conflict that threatens the people's confidence - it's the police themselves.

[Pouatchee]

25 minutes ago, geisha said:

he and his family have personal wealth , stop posting rubbish if you’re unable to read printed facts. Boring. 

 

link? proof?

likely his family got wealthy thanks to his corruption. i read an and defunct thaivisa daily and many times a day and i never saw a hint his family is rich before the fact

 

so back up what you are saying. boring these guys who think a cop in thailand isnt corrupt... or maybe naive

[AustinRacing]

How about a coup led by big joke. Prime minister big joke, or bigger joke. 

[Aussie999]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

This could now get interesting

Nah, just a couple of bully kids, beating their chests.

[moe666]

I liked some of the things he did as immigration police chief he made life in Chiang Mai liviable. But he just doesn't get it his fellow workers and higher up do not like him even though he isjust like them. Big Joke just pushes the big boys the wrong way.

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

The guy has so much more wealth than what his salary is come on you know the guy corrupt TIT

His wife is uber rich. ie lots and lots of money.

[BusyB]

 

The "Police Virtue Protection Committee" ...

 

Wow ... just wow!

[paul545]

40 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

link? proof?

likely his family got wealthy thanks to his corruption. i read an and defunct thaivisa daily and many times a day and i never saw a hint his family is rich before the fact

 

so back up what you are saying. boring these guys who think a cop in thailand isnt corrupt... or maybe naive

Try googling it and you will find the links yourself. Here’s one for you to look at. His wife’s family are worth billions. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2653830/big-joke-says-he-paid-reporters

[john donson]

is he not involved in a gambling ring? should he not be in JAIL?

[Pouatchee]

15 minutes ago, paul545 said:

Try googling it and you will find the links yourself. Here’s one for you to look at. His wife’s family are worth billions. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2653830/big-joke-says-he-paid-reporters

 

Quote

Pol Gen Surachate told local media that he pays about 1.5 million baht a month out of his own pocket to cover the expenses of his team because the police department often lacks the resources needed to pursue certain investigations.

A deputy national police chief earns a base salary of 78,000 baht a month. Pol Gen Surachate said the money he spends comes from his wife Sirinatda, the daughter of Bancha Panitchapong, a billionaire transport and property tycoon in Songkhla, his home province.

 

 

so daddy in law actually foots the bill of 1.5 million and expects no favors in return? in itself, that is corruption.

 

if you think daddy in law, or big joke's wife expect nothing in return for this you are, to say the least, quite naive.

 

Quote

Another recipient was a native of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The reporter came with a team of three or four to cover his activities, Pol Gen Surachate said.

The money was intended to cover their meals and travel costs when they visited the provinces to cover cases in which he was involved, he said.

 

“I am generous. … I have done this since I was an inspector,” he said. “At my news conferences, I gave each reporter 500 baht for their meals and petrol. … The money was mine and was not from a gambling website.”
 

 

about helping reporters? wow... buying the media's opinion so when and if he gets challenged he will have all these reporters who one day may be editors in his pocket.

 

thanks @paul545 you helped me make my point

Edited June 25 by Pouatchee