Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, once the charismatic face of Thailand’s law enforcement, found himself booted out of the police force on Friday. The firing, enforced by a resolute police disciplinary committee, has been attributed to his alleged entanglement with an online gambling syndicate. Yet, the unwavering former deputy police chief still clings to hope, having the option to appeal this rather stern judgment.
As the curtain begins to descend on Surachate’s vibrant career, it’s a poignant moment in the narrative of a man who was as frequently celebrated as he was controversial. His fall from grace, which started back in August the previous year, was cemented when a royal decree, acting upon the advice of the Police Commission, unceremoniously edged him out of his esteemed position. Surachate, not one to take things lying down, challenged this decision, steering the conflict into the Supreme Administrative Court’s jurisdiction. Alas, December delivered a chilly verdict against him, deeming the move legally sound, leaving only his final punishment as a question mark.
The fateful committee meeting, orchestrated by deputy national police honcho Pol Gen Kraibun Thuadsong, saw the attendance of nearly all deputy chiefs, save for Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the elusive inspector-general. As tales of disciplinary woe spread like wildfire, Pol Gen Surachate broke his silence to declare his ignorance of the verdict’s particulars, insisting on a closer inspection of the findings before mulling an appeal.
A beacon of legal recourse still beckons Surachate. Should he opt for it, he can take his grievances to the Police Ethics Protection Commission to potentially reverse the firing. And should this avenue hit a dead end, a case with the Supreme Administrative Court remains. The final chapter in this saga will be read aloud only after this court’s ultimate decree—which, if unfavorable, could see Surachate stripped of his honored police rank.
The man in the spotlight, said to possess a penchant for personal publicity, found himself embroiled in a public relations nightmare over the past year. Allegations pointed to Surachate and his quartet of colleagues for allegedly laundering substantial sums for the BNK Master gambling network. With steely resolve, the former deputy chief rattled off his denials, dismissing the allegations as the handiwork of envious peers eager to thwart his ascent to the police chief’s throne.
Surachate’s life story reads like a popular detective novel. Birthed in 1970 in the enticing region of Songkhla, his destiny was seemingly inked into his DNA as the son of an honorable lawman. Surachate journeyed up the police ladder with commendable zeal, commanding a local station before venturing to the bustling metropolis of Bangkok. Once there, he headed the illustrious 191 task force, later transitioned to the tourist police, and claimed the immigration bureau’s headship in 2018 before earning the deputy chief title.
The pages of 2020’s calendar revealed a dramatic episode straight from Hollywood. Surachate became an unintended target when gunmen unleashed a hail of seven bullets upon his reclined Lexus on Surawong Road. Denying any theatrics, Surachate was adamant that the brazen drive-by was tied to a contentious, overpriced biometric screening debacle within the Immigration Bureau. With echoes of mystery, the case remains an unsolved puzzle, only marred by a senior officer’s subsequent dismissal over leaked recording buzz implicating a superior’s encouragement to desist from any further probing. Pol Lt Gen Surachate, during his heyday, was the darling of news outlets, often finding himself portrayed front and center in high-stakes cases.
I feel like Pol Gen Surachate was framed. There’s always politics involved at this level.
I agree. It’s too convenient to blame him now that he’s out of the picture. Smells fishy.
I think he definitely did some shady stuff. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Maybe, but everyone makes enemies on their way up. Could be a setup.
I’m just amazed how quickly someone can go from hero to zero. Public opinion really is fragile.
True, but that’s how it is with public figures. They’re always under scrutiny.
Guess it just shows how risky being in the spotlight is. Any slip and you’re done for.
It’s interesting how Surachate still has fans despite these accusations. Loyalty or denial?
Loyalty, I reckon. He led the tourist police, kept places safe. People remember that.
Possibly. But turning a blind eye to potential corruption isn’t helpful.
Why isn’t there more focus on the gambling ring itself? Doesn’t that seem bigger than one police officer?
Good point. Media always chases the juiciest story. Less interested in the systemic problems.
If they don’t address the root cause, these issues will keep popping up.
All I know is if Surachate gets stripped of his rank, there’d better be solid evidence. Can’t ruin a life on hearsay.
Absolutely. Innocent until proven guilty should mean something!
Pretty sure someone, somewhere is getting paid a lot to hush the real story.
Sadly, that’s how it often goes. Corruption can run deep, even deeper than we know.
And we may never find out the full truth. It’s frustrating.
This could have larger implications for tourism if the perception of safety is compromised.
Everyone’s just assuming he’s guilty because he’s prominent. The media’s always looking for the next scandal.
The story about the drive-by shooting sounds like something out of a movie! No wonder he got a reputation.
Real life can be stranger than fiction, especially with powerful figures involved.
Does anyone else wonder why the Supreme Administrative Court sided against him? Must be more than what’s public.
Often these decisions aren’t as straightforward. Political motives everywhere!
The bit about his critics being jealous makes me chuckle. Sounds like every office drama I’ve ever heard of.
If he can appeal, maybe there’s still hope. But appeals often seem more like a way to drag things out.
How’s this gonna affect local perceptions of the police force, though? Trust issues, maybe?
A dent in the armor for sure. People will wonder about who they can trust.
What baffles me is how these scandals keep happening. Isn’t there some better oversight?
Scandals seem inevitable when power is concentrated. Hard to change human nature.
Sad but true. Accountability’s hard to enforce when everyone’s guarding their own secrets.
People should wait until the legal process finishes before making assumptions. Premature judgments help no one.