Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn recently addressed reporters outside the Bangkok South Criminal Court after filing a defamation suit against a senior police officer on June 24. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Any hope Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn had of ascending to the position of national police chief this year has dissipated with his official dismissal announced in the Royal Gazette. The high-profile officer, known to many as “Big Joke,” was removed from his duties due to an investigation into a serious breach of discipline, the announcement stated. This termination order was backdated to April 18.
The Royal Gazette announcement, endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, mentioned a royal command to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate under Sections 140 and 179 of the Royal Thai Police Act BE 2565 and the Police Commission regulations had been issued.
This dismissal disqualifies Pol Gen Surachate from being in the running for the position of national police chief. The current chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, is set to retire on Sept 30.
The order of dismissal stems from allegations of involvement in an online gambling network, an investigation that is still underway. The Police Commission had unanimously voted 12:0 in favor of the order in June.
Pol Gen Surachate responded to this setback by filing an appeal with the Police Officers’ Merit System Protection Commission. However, the commission on Aug 5 unanimously agreed that the order was appropriate and legitimate.
Still, Pol Gen Surachate isn’t out of options. He has lodged a complaint against the order with the Supreme Court, as disclosed by Pol Gen Ek Aungsananon, a member of the Police Commission. If the Supreme Court rules in his favor, the dismissal order could be revoked, and he could be reinstated as the deputy national police chief.
As of now, it remains uncertain when or if the Supreme Court will take up the case.
Pol Gen Surachate has contended on multiple occasions that he is being persecuted because he was the front-runner to succeed Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. He has argued that the criminal allegations are part of a campaign against him.
The tension between factions loyal to Pol Gen Surachate and Pol Gen Torsak escalated last year after the latter was selected as chief despite being less senior than all other contenders.
The feud became such a distraction that then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin in March transferred both police generals to inactive posts pending the outcome of an investigation. The investigation report acknowledged the long-standing factional conflict within the force but noted that investigations into alleged wrongdoing were for other bodies to resolve.
The report recommended reinstating Pol Gen Torsak and indicated that Pol Gen Surachate had been “unfairly dismissed from duty pending investigation.” Nevertheless, the Police Commission still approved the dismissal order.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was long viewed as a rising star within the police force. He maintained a high profile, often making headlines with his involvement in high-stakes cases from immigration violations to illegal motorcycle racing and high-tech crime investigations where he led another unit.
Born in 1970 in Songkhla to a policeman father, Surachate swiftly climbed the ranks after joining the force, commanding a local station before moving to Bangkok to head the 191 task force. Subsequently, he joined the tourist police, eventually landing the top job at the Immigration Bureau in 2018, and later becoming a deputy chief.
In 2020, a gunman fired eight shots into Pol Gen Surachate’s parked Lexus during a “business meeting” in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district. The case remains unresolved.
According to a police source, three other police generals are currently in the running to become the next chief: Kitrat Phanphet and Thana Chuwong, both deputy chiefs, and Kraiboon Suadsong, an inspector-general.
This is a travesty! Pol Gen Surachate is clearly a victim of political maneuvering. Those in power just don’t want to see him succeed.
I disagree. The allegations against him are serious. If there’s evidence, he should face the consequences like anyone else.
But we haven’t even seen the evidence yet. It’s all political. Remember when he was attacked in 2020? Seems like someone has it in for him.
Yeah, but if the commission voted unanimously, there must be more to it. Maybe we just don’t know the whole story.
Joe is right. This happens all the time in bureaucracies. People are often dismissed on the whims of those in power, especially when someone is set to retire.
Honestly, the legal routes he’s taking seem reasonable. An appeal to the Supreme Court could bring transparency to the case.
I agree. The Supreme Court should evaluate the merits of the allegations. Let’s trust the judicial process.
I think you’re all missing the human element. This man has dedicated his life to serving the public, and now he’s being humiliated.
It’s hard to believe someone who’s accomplished so much could be guilty of these allegations. There must be a mistake.
David, power corrupts. Just because someone is accomplished doesn’t make them infallible.
Exactly, Jameson. A long list of accomplishments doesn’t exempt anyone from scrutiny.
Of course there’s a mistake, David. Well-publicized leaders are often targets of unfounded accusations!
I’m still hung up on the fact that he led the high-tech crime unit. Were these gambling allegations discovered under his watch or with his help?
Good point, Tom. If they were discovered under his leadership, it would make no sense for him to be involved.
Or it could be an elaborate ploy to cover his tracks. Happens all the time in crime dramas!
Sometimes these things are too complicated for the public to understand. We should wait for official reports and judgments before drawing conclusions.
Let’s not forget the Royal Gazette published this decision. It’s not just hearsay; it’s backed by official edicts.
Exactly! When the Royal Gazette announces something, it’s not a trivial matter.
Why does it seem like every high-ranking official has some scandal tied to them? Makes you wonder if there’s anyone left with integrity.
Unfortunately, power often brings scrutiny and sometimes corruption. It’s sad but true.
Or it makes you wonder if the system itself is corrupt, and anyone who tries to change it gets pushed out.
As someone who lived through political purges in my country, this smacks of the same thing. The question is, who benefits from his downfall?
Let’s discuss the Merit System Protection Commission. Do they really have the final say, or can their decisions also be appealed?
Can someone explain what Sections 140 and 179 of the Royal Thai Police Act are? The legal jargon is confusing.
Sections 140 and 179 pertain to disciplinary actions and removal of officers. It’s standard procedural stuff but with serious implications for those involved.
Why was Pol Gen Torsak chosen in the first place if there was so much internal conflict? Seems like poor decision-making at the top.
I think it’s interesting that his complaint is with the Supreme Court now. It could set a legal precedent for future cases.
This notion of ‘factional conflict within the force’ is quite telling. It’s almost like a script from a soap opera.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more top officials embroiled in scandals. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Remember, public figures have a right to due process too. Innocent until proven guilty, folks.
The fact that three other officers are in the running now tells me this was a power play. Clear the path for someone else.
Dan, you’re spot on. It’s a classic chess move to eliminate competition.
Does anyone know what’s happening with the gunman who attacked him in 2020? Seems like a loose end in this whole saga.
Good question, Tom. That was a shocking incident and still no resolution. Suspicious, isn’t it?