In a dynamic turn of events, a crucial Police Commission meeting is set to take place today to determine the fate of deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, famously known as “Big Joke.” The meeting, which will convene around 2-3pm, will be presided over by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also chairs the Police Commission.
The primary agenda for the gathering is to reassess whether the Royal Thai Police’s previous order to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate was legally sound. The stakes are high, especially after Pol Gen Surachate threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against Mr. Srettha should the dismissal not be revoked.
Addressing the press, Mr. Srettha remarked, “We haven’t been idle for the past three to four months. We’re meticulously navigating the legal intricacies of this issue. While we’ve been actively working to resolve the matter, it’s essential to respect the legal procedures involved.”
Today’s meeting will focus on insights from the Disciplinary and Police Virtue Protection Committee, which is currently delving into the allegations against Pol Gen Surachate. Mr. Srettha elaborated, “I believe every individual involved, including deputy national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, and Pol Gen Surachate, has their own set of challenges and maturity. Personal issues must be sorted out through proper legal channels.”
In a related development, Pol Gen Surachate has reportedly taken his battle to the Bangkok South Criminal Court, filing a defamation lawsuit against a police general who also sits on the Police Commission, as well as a legal expert appointed by the premier.
Pol Gen Surachate has called on the court to scrutinize the intra-police conflict, especially concerning the defamation case that implicated him in online gambling offenses. He clarified that the arrest warrant issued against him was for failing to respond to a summons, not because a crime was committed. Emphasizing the importance of due process, Pol Gen Surachate asserted, “As long as a court hasn’t delivered a final verdict, the accused is presumed innocent.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Pol Gen Surachate is gearing up to file another defamation lawsuit against another expert and has plans to bring a suit against a senior officer next week. Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the Central Investigation Bureau deputy commissioner, seemed unperturbed by the looming legal battle. He mentioned that his lawyer would handle the case, downplaying the seriousness by calling the threatened lawsuit a “little matter.”
As the saga unfolds, all eyes are on the Police Commission meeting. The outcome could set a precedent for internal police disputes and the handling of high-profile cases. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on this riveting story.
Pol Gen Surachate should have never been dismissed in the first place. This sounds like pure internal politics.
You can’t be serious! The man was involved in some shady dealings. If the commission reinstates him, it’s a slap in the face to justice.
Everyone is entitled to a fair process, Johnny. If there’s no concrete evidence, how can we just assume guilt?
Fair point Nina, but remember that accountability is key in maintaining public trust in the police force.
And let’s not forget the defamation suits. Seems like Surachate is resorting to legal tricks to save his skin.
If Gen Surachate wins his case and is reinstated, this would expose a lot of systemic issues within the police force.
Either way, it’s going to cause a lot of friction within the department. Who’s to say this won’t just lead to more chaos?
True, but sunlight is the best disinfectant. Maybe this is what the system needs to clean up its act.
I agree, transparency will only strengthen the institution in the long run.
This is just another example of the rich and powerful using their influence to avoid consequences.
Or it could be a case of a power struggle gone wrong within the police force. Either way, it’s a mess.
I’m more interested in how this will impact public perception. Will people trust the police after this?
Honestly, I think this whole situation is overblown. The public has seen worse scandals and the police force survived.
The problem is that each new scandal just adds to the cynicism. We can’t keep having these issues without long-term damage.
Maybe, but people have short memories. There will be another scandal soon enough.
PM Srettha is in a tough spot. Whatever decision he makes will have big repercussions.
The Prime Minister’s direct involvement complicates this even further. He has to balance political maneuvering with legal accuracy.
Surachate’s lawsuits seem more like an intimidation tactic than a genuine legal battle.
That’s how the game is played at that level. It’s all about who can flex their muscles more.
Unfortunately, that game means the average citizen loses faith in the legal system.
Does anyone else think this meeting is just a formality and the decision is already made?
Absolutely. These things usually are. All the legal talk is just for show.
Sadly, it feels that way. The outcome is probably decided behind closed doors.
I don’t really care about the politics. Just fix the system so the public can trust the police again.
This whole saga just reeks of corruption and the public deserves better!
It’s not just about Surachate. The entire system needs an overhaul.
True, but where do we even start? The rot seems too deep.
If this goes to court, I bet there’s going to be a lot of dirty laundry aired.
It’s incredible how much the public’s view of the police can shift based on incidents like this.
As a law student, this case is fascinating. It’s a textbook example of political influence clashing with legal standards.
You know it’s bad when internal police affairs make the front page. Just imagine what’s going on behind the scenes.
Will be interesting to see if any officers come forward with new revelations during this fiasco.
If there’s dirt to be had, you know someone will spill it for their own gain.
And those revelations could turn this scandal into a full-blown crisis.
From what I’ve read, Big Joke is no saint, but this level of drama seems excessive for a dismissal review.