Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn addressed reporters on Monday, expressing strong intentions for a comeback. If Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin does not facilitate his reinstatement, Surachate announced he would take the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for an investigation.
Pol Gen Surachate, popularly known as Big Joke, emphasized that as the chairman of the police commission, the prime minister has the authority to nullify the suspension order. “The prime minister acknowledged that the order was flawed,” he said. “If he fails to comply with the law, I will have no choice but to take legal action against him,” Surachate asserted with palpable determination.
This turbulence dates back to April when then-acting national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet signed off on the immediate suspension of Pol Gen Surachate. The allegations? A murky connection involving Surachate and four of his subordinates in a money-laundering operation linked to the infamous BNK Master gambling network.
Despite these serious accusations, Surachate remained defiant, criticizing what he described as blatant attempts to tarnish his reputation. Interestingly, Surachate also mentioned he plans to lodge a complaint with the NACC against the signatory of his suspension — though he refrained from naming Kitrat directly.
Surachate didn’t stop there. He promised, should he be reinstated, a comprehensive review of dismissal orders against 70-80 other police officers. This revelation hinted at an extensive shakeup within the police force, possibly pointing to deeper systemic issues.
Defending his controversial suspension decision, Pol Gen Kitrat said on Monday that it was based on the severity of the allegations, supported by substantial facts and relevant laws. He maintained that he was simply following protocols during his tenure as the acting national police chief.
Kitrat’s stint as acting chief concluded with the reinstatement of Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the national police chief. Kitrat clarified that he never aspired to succeed Torsak, who is set to retire at the end of September.
This saga continues to unfold with complexities and sharp twists, keeping the public on the edge of their seats as they await the prime minister’s next move and the potential legal battles that might ensue. Stay tuned for what promises to be a gripping conclusion to this high-stakes drama in Thailand’s law enforcement sphere.
This sounds like a classic case of power play. Surachate should wait patiently for a fair investigation instead of threatening legal action. It makes him look guilty.
I agree, but at the same time, if the suspension was flawed, why not correct it promptly? Leadership should be about fairness.
Elena, it’s not that simple. Investigations take time. Rushing to reinstate could undermine the entire justice system.
Exactly, PolMan. His threats make it seem like he’s trying to bypass the process.
But what if the system itself is corrupt? Sometimes you have to push back to get real justice!
This entire situation is sketchy. Both sides have murky intentions.
Absolutely, Sana. It’s hard to trust either side when politics and law enforcement mix.
I think Surachate has a point. If the suspension was indeed flawed, he deserves a chance to clear his name.
But should that involve threatening legal action against the Prime Minister? Seems a bit extreme.
Sometimes extreme measures are the only way to get noticed. This might be his only option.
That’s my point, Oliver. The stakes are high and he’s fighting for his career.
If Surachate does get reinstated, the planned review of other officers could reveal a lot of hidden issues within the force.
True, but it could also destabilize the entire police force. Careful management is crucial.
Destabilization might be necessary to clean up the corruption. Sometimes you need to break things to fix them.
That’s if there’s corruption to begin with. It’s a risky assumption.
Kitrat is claiming he acted on substantial facts. If that’s true, then Surachate’s accusations fall flat.
Substantial facts according to whom? Internal investigations can be biased.
Still, those facts need to be reviewed, not ignored because of personal vendettas.
This feels like a soap opera. Is this how law enforcement should operate? Threats and counter-threats?
Right! It’s more drama than justice. How can people trust the police when this is the standard?
Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon in highly politicized environments.
Exactly, Matilda. Trust is hard to earn back once it’s lost.
Big Joke has always been a controversial figure. His methods are unconventional but maybe that’s what the force needs.
Unconventional doesn’t necessarily mean effective. We need rule of law, not rogue actions.
True, but sometimes breaking the mold is the only way to bring change.
Who cares? The police are corrupt anyways. Nothing’s gonna change no matter who’s in charge.
That’s a defeatist attitude. If we don’t care, nothing will improve for sure.
Any decision made by Srettha now will be watched closely. It’s a balancing act.
All these legal threats make it seem like a circus. Can’t they handle this internally?
The police system needs transparency and accountability. This debacle shows how far it has to go.
If Surachate was involved in money-laundering, should we really be arguing for his reinstatement?
It’s sad to see law enforcement officials fighting like school children in public. And people wonder why trust in the system is so low.
Let’s wait for the NACC’s investigation. Rushing to conclusions could harm innocent people’s reputations.
Interesting insights here. Shows how complicated the justice system really is. No easy answers.
Prime Minister Srettha’s response will set a precedent for future conflicts. It’s a critical moment.