National —
At 10:00 AM, on July 3rd, 2024, Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn submitted documentation to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to clarify money laundering allegations related to the Tao Poon Police Station and filed a complaint against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin regarding the allegedly unlawful appointment of Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol as the National Police Chief, citing violations under Section 157.
Pol. Gen. Surachate explained that his visit to the NACC addressed two main issues. The first concerned the money laundering case at Tao Poon Police Station, currently under NACC investigation. He provided detailed financial records and explanations of the allegations. His status has shifted from suspect to individual under investigation, according to him, pending further inquiry and a decision from the NACC. Until then, he remains presumed innocent, he added.
Regarding the Minnie case, where eight of his subordinates were charged, Pol. Gen. Surachate noted that the prosecutors believe the accused, as state officials, should fall under the NACC’s jurisdiction. The investigators are expected to forward the case to the NACC shortly.
He reiterated his belief that the initial investigation was flawed and improper, potentially influencing the outcome. He has also continually professed his personal innocence in this case, saying accusations against him were politically influenced.
The second issue involved filing a complaint against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for allegedly unlawfully appointing Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol as the National Police Chief. On April 22nd, he filed this complaint but withdrew it on April 23rd to avoid redundancy with a similar complaint by Pol. Gen. Sereepisuth Temeeyaves. Learning that Sereepisuth had withdrawn his complaint for unknown reasons, Surachate resubmitted his complaint as a directly affected party.
Pol. Gen. Surachate emphasized that the appointment of Pol. Gen. Torsak did not follow proper criteria, which should consider both seniority and capability. Srettha justified the appointment on policy implementation and trust, which Pol. Gen. Surachate argues contradicts legal requirements.
According to these criteria, Pol. Gen. Roy Ingkapairoj, the most senior officer, or Pol. Gen. Surachate himself, the second most senior, should have been considered. Instead, Pol. Gen. Torsak was appointed without adhering to the proper order of seniority.
Despite Srettha’s authority to nominate candidates, reasons for bypassing more senior candidates must be provided. If seniority criteria are to be disregarded, the law must be amended. The Police Commission, which approved Pol. Gen. Torsak’s appointment, must also be held accountable, except for the two members who did not vote in favor, he added.
Pol. Gen. Surachate clarified that his complaint against Srettha is not personal but addresses misconduct in the official capacity of the Prime Minister. He acknowledged that this action might affect his position within the Royal Thai Police, but he intends to uphold legal and organizational integrity for future generations, without any personal vendetta.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
