Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has filed a defamation lawsuit against a former close aide, escalating a public rift within senior police ranks and signalling possible further legal action against others. The case was accepted by the Criminal Court for South Bangkok on 5 February 2026, with an initial hearing scheduled next month.

The lawsuit was lodged by Surachate’s lawyer, Sanyaphatara Samart, against Pol Col Phakphum Phitsamai, a former deputy commander of the Investigation Division, Provincial Police Region 4. The claim alleges defamation by advertising, stemming from three media interviews given by Phakphum that Surachate says damaged his reputation. The lawyer said the action was taken to restore dignity and seek judicial clarity, not as an emotional response or an attempt to silence criticism.

The dispute follows a period of heightened scrutiny and public allegations involving Surachate, once one of the most prominent figures in the Royal Thai Police. His legal team said Surachate had carefully reviewed the statements made in the interviews and concluded they met the legal threshold for defamation. The case has been registered as Case No. A.107/2569, with the court set to examine the merits on 16 March 2026 at 1.30pm.

Sanyaphatara said Surachate had previously brought credit to the police organisation through his work, but the allegations aired publicly had caused reputational harm. He stressed that the court process was necessary to determine whether the claims were true or false based on evidence. The lawyer added that Surachate was not filing a strategic lawsuit against public participation and was acting solely to protect his standing.

The legal team also confirmed it is reviewing statements made by several other individuals who may have defamed Surachate through the media. More than 10 former subordinates have been mentioned in reports, and the lawyer said Surachate has reserved his rights to pursue legal action in every applicable case. Additional lawsuits are expected within a week, involving an estimated two to three further cases, mostly against police officers.

Addressing reports that 17 people claiming to be close to Surachate were assaulted, Sanyaphatara said anyone with lawful evidence should proceed through proper channels. He warned that making accusations without legal proof, or acting under improper influence, could expose the accusers themselves to liability. He added that Surachate continues to live normally, remains at his original residence that was previously searched, and still plays tennis regularly.

Daily News Surachate is expected to limit direct media engagement while legal proceedings continue. His lawyer said further interviews could create confusion or conflicting narratives, and the matter should now be resolved through the justice system. The court’s decision on whether to proceed to trial will be closely watched within police and political circles.

Key Takeaways

• Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn filed a defamation case against Pol Col Phakphum Phitsamai over three media interviews.

• The Criminal Court for South Bangkok accepted the case on 5 February 2026 and set a hearing for 16 March 2026.

• Surachate’s lawyers indicated further lawsuits against other former subordinates may follow.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-02-07

 

 

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Big Jokes lawyer must be a very rich man with all the lawsuits being filed!

Keep on digging the hole bigger.

23 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Keep on digging the hole bigger.

His Ego and national shame is too much for him, it's a Thai trait. With his amount of money and early forced retirement, I would just disappear into the night, never to be heard from again, power, money, ego, mean nothing to me......I would be in Kauai sipping Mai Tai's, living out my life in anonymity, and happy as a clam.

Fighting a losing battle..

He has no shame he’s as corrupt as all the others how do you think he got to the top by being honest cops where did all the money come from yeah I know they’re gonna say his wife’s family you know it’s such BS I like the best one I’ve ever heard was the guy that said he borrowed millions of dollars of watches from his neighbor who happened to be tit

....All These Factions...(?)

...Working To Suppress One Voice...(?)

...Any Which Way They Can...(?)

...It Only Suggests One Thing...(?)

...Really Dirty Dealings Have Been Going On...(?)

...And They Will Stop At Nothing To Keep It That Way...(?)

...All Fabricated Slander & Questionable Court Rulings Aside...(?)

...I Can't Help But Think That Something Rings True About This Guy...(?)

On 2/7/2026 at 11:23 AM, phil2407 said:

Big Jokes lawyer must be a very rich man with all the lawsuits being filed!

He doing a 😭😭😭😭Trump

10 hours ago, Bruce Aussie said:

He doing a 😭😭😭😭Trump

why?? why even go there???

If he was guilty he’d been gone long ago. Why are people getting annoyed by others who have money ? Can’t believe that jealousy that some here have concerning rich or the well off , especially if they’re police or politicians. They’re not all bad . It’s just police hate..