Thailand, March 7th, 2025 — The National Police Office announced that a disciplinary committee unanimously voted to dismiss Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the former Deputy National Police Chief, and revoke his pension over alleged serious misconduct linked to an online gambling network.
The meeting was chaired by Pol. Gen. Kraiboon Suadsong, the most senior Deputy Police Chief, and included all other deputy chiefs and the national police inspector-general. The decision will be submitted to Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet, the National Police Chief, for final approval.
Surachate’s dismissal stems from allegations of involvement in an illegal online gambling network, where investigators from Tao Poon Police Station charged 22 suspects with organizing illegal gambling and money laundering. The investigation uncovered links to several police officers.
Surachate said he has not yet received an official notice but plans to appeal to the Police Civil Service Commission (PCSC). If the board upholds the decision, he may take the case to the Administrative Court. If the court confirms the ruling, steps will follow to strip him of his police rank. Big Joke, who embraces his nickname, has vehemently denied the accusations and stated they are political in nature and have no basis in truth, and has been busy counter suing and battling the allegations legally.
Read the latest article about Big Joke here.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
