The Civil Court has ordered the wife of a police colonel to pay 8 million baht in damages, plus interest, for defamation after remarks made in a television interview were found to have harmed the reputation of the wife of former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn. The ruling, delivered on 9 February 2026, underscores the legal risks of making unsubstantiated allegations through broadcast media.

The court found that the defendant’s comments, although not naming the plaintiff directly, were clearly understood by the public to refer to her and caused serious reputational damage. As a result, the court awarded compensation and legal costs, marking a significant outcome in a high-profile civil dispute involving senior police families.

The case arose from an interview broadcast in October 2024 on the programme Thok Mai Thieng. During the interview, Ms Thanatta, the defendant, alleged that the plaintiff, Ms Sirinadda Hakparn, was having an affair with Pol Col Pheemapoj Nomchobphithak, a lecturer at the Police Cadet Academy and the defendant’s husband.

The defendant also accused the plaintiff of trespassing and stealing her property. Ms Sirinadda, the wife of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, filed a civil lawsuit seeking 10 million baht in damages, arguing that the allegations were false and had caused serious harm to her name and livelihood.

In its judgment in case number Por. 4343/2568, the court ruled that the interview content allowed viewers to identify the plaintiff despite the absence of her name. The court said the allegations of adultery, trespass and theft, when broadcast through a news programme, amounted to a wrongful act causing reputational and economic damage.

The court ordered the defendant to pay 8 million baht in damages, with interest at 5 percent per year on the principal amount from the day after the lawsuit was filed on 15 October 2025 until full payment is made. The defendant was also ordered to pay court fees on behalf of the plaintiff, with legal fees set at 10,000 baht.

The ruling highlights how public statements made through mass media can carry significant civil liability, particularly when they involve allegations of criminal or immoral conduct. It also reinforces the court’s approach that identification can be implied, even without explicit naming, if the audience can reasonably infer the person concerned.

SiamRath reported that the judgment may be appealed within the legal timeframe if the defendant chooses to challenge the ruling. The case has been closely watched, given the prominence of those involved and its implications for defamation standards in media interviews.

Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

Key Takeaways

• The Civil Court ordered 8 million baht in damages plus interest for defamation.

• The court ruled that implied identification can still constitute reputational harm.

• The case stems from allegations made during a televised interview in October 2024.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siamrath 2026-02-10

 

 

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Big joke needs to win a few as well now to even the scores.

Wonder if No 2 will get half?

8 million baht ... hm..

Apparently, it’s a completely different level of money for senior police officers and their families. When I forgot my driving licence, I only had to pay 300 baht to the ordinary policeman.

Defamation is a criminal offence here so the defendant could have gone to prison. Different cultures, different penalties.

Culture belongs in yogurt and sourdough. Laws are equalisers.

ABOLISH all defamation laws now!

7 hours ago, Purdey said:

Defamation is a criminal offence here so the defendant could have gone to prison. Different cultures, different penalties.

rich people people rarely go to prison in cases like this, its all about money and face

An off topic deflection post trolling about Trump and the replies have been removed.

16 hours ago, hanbla said:

8 million baht ... hm..

Apparently, it’s a completely different level of money for senior police officers and their families. When I forgot my driving licence, I only had to pay 300 baht to the ordinary policeman.

What has not having your driving's license to do with defamation?

7 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

What has not having your driving's license to do with defamation?

Nothing for you to worry about. 😉