Deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, affectionately known to many as “Big Joke,” did not mince words this Monday when he threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The crux of the matter? An order that temporarily dismisses him from the police force—a move that he deeply believes to be illegitimate.
Surachate has already set the wheels in motion by appealing to the Police Virtue Protection Committee and petitioning the premier, in his role as chairman of the Police Commission, to have this contentious order reviewed. If Srettha fails to act, Surachate plans to lodge a formal complaint, charging the prime minister with neglecting his duties.
Not just a lone questor, Surachate enjoys some heavyweight backing: the Council of State, an advisory body to the government on legal matters, has also declared the dismissal order illegitimate. Earlier information hints that a crucial meeting of the Police Commission is slated for this Wednesday to dissect whether the temporary dismissal of Surachate breached any laws. Prime Minister Srettha himself is expected to play a pivotal role in this assembly.
Tracing back to April, the origin of this high-stakes drama lies in an order signed by deputy national police chief Kitrat Phanphet. As acting police chief, Kitrat orchestrated the transfer of both Surachate and Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol to the Prime Minister’s Office on March 20. This maneuver was part of a strategy to tame a bubbling cauldron of discord within the police force.
Surachate remarked that whether he regains his spot in the police hierarchy depends on the Police Virtue Protection Committee, often hailed as the police force’s ‘Administrative Court.’ In a bold move, he criticized Prime Minister Srettha for not displaying the leadership needed to quell the ongoing police woes. According to Surachate, it’s high time for the PM to harness his authority and patch things up, stating that inaction could be disastrous for public trust in the police.
But it doesn’t end there. The media has reported that Srettha harbors hopes for a reconciliation between Surachate and Torsak, aiming for them to collaborate effectively for public benefit. In response, Surachate made it clear that if Torsak doesn’t revoke the dismissal order, a malfeasance complaint against him would follow next week. And yes, Surachate is also eyeing another complaint against Kitrat with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), citing procedural lapses during Kitrat’s tenure as acting police chief.
Meanwhile, Kitrat struck a composed yet firm tone this Monday, stating that Surachate’s appeal is still under the scanner of the Police Virtue Protection Committee. He emphasized that the order had been scrutinized but evaded comments on the Council of State’s stance. According to Kitrat, everyone, including Surachate, retains the right to challenge perceived unfair treatment. Interestingly, he laughed off rumors suggesting that he might inherit the mantle from Torsak, who is set for mandatory retirement by September’s end.
This whole situation sounds like a power struggle rather than a legitimate concern for police integrity.
I disagree. If Surachate feels his dismissal was unlawful, he has every right to challenge it.
True, but filing a complaint against the PM feels like overkill. Handle it internally first.
Anyone who’s truly concerned about public trust should support transparency and accountability, even if it means challenging the PM.
Absolutely! Democracy thrives on checks and balances. No one should be above the law.
This sounds more like a soap opera than real governance. Can’t they just work things out without all the drama?
The stakes are high, Meera. We’re talking about the integrity of the entire police force here.
I get that, but surely there’s a more professional way to handle this?
Surachate’s move to involve the Police Virtue Protection Committee and the NACC seems calculated but necessary.
It’s necessary because he was unfairly treated, but it also shows how fractured the system is.
Exactly. If the system were functioning properly, this wouldn’t have blown up into such a big deal.
I wonder if this drama will impact the general public’s view of the police. It seems like trust is on thin ice.
If anything, it’ll show the public that corruption isn’t tolerated, even at high levels.
The public likely already has a poor view of the police. This just reinforces their suspicions.
Corruption is rampant in many police forces around the world. Thailand is no exception.
Big Joke? More like Big Ego. Sounds like a personal vendetta against the PM.
This kind of political maneuvering is unhealthy. It erodes public trust and makes the police look unstable.
True, but it’s also important for checks and balances to be in place, even if it causes some instability in the short term.
I’m surprised the Council of State got involved. Their backing makes this a serious issue.
When the legal advisory body finds the dismissal illegitimate, it’s pretty clear there’s a big problem.
Exactly. This isn’t just a personal vendetta. There are legal grounds for Surachate’s actions.
Is no one going to mention how Torsak and Kitrat are handling all of this? They seem way too relaxed about it.
I think Kitrat’s composed tone is just a front. You can’t be that relaxed when there’s so much at stake.
As a journalist, I’ve seen these power struggles play out many times. Big Joke’s public challenge to the PM is audacious and risky.
Audacious indeed. But sometimes, bold moves are necessary to bring about change.
This isn’t just about Surachate. The entire police system’s credibility is on the line.
Srettha should have acted faster. His inaction is partly to blame for this escalation.
I’m not sure what’s more impressive, the drama in the police force or how everyone is pretending this isn’t a huge deal.
It’s disappointing that it has come to this. We need leaders who lead, not just manage crises.
Leadership isn’t just about making the right calls; it’s about making them promptly.