Deputy National Police Chief Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn has been charged with the wrongful exercise of duties and accepting bribes by the police. This follows the discovery of a financial connection between him and an illegal online gambling network through at least 4 mule accounts valued at 300 million baht, as reported by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). He also said more than half of the 300 million was transferred to other high-ranking officers and used to cover Pol Gen Surachate's daily expenses. Pol Gen Surachate, along with four other police officers accused of the same offenses, could also face charges of money laundering, according to Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat stated that the investigation into Pol Gen Surachate is linked to the probe against Suchanun "Minnie" Sucharitchinsri, who is suspected of operating online gambling websites involving 61 suspects and eight other police officers. In September 2023, Suchanun denied allegations of running illegal online gambling websites. However, she did acknowledge having a close relationship with one of Deputy National Police Chiefs, Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn's close aides, Pol Col Pakpoom Pisamai.

Deputy National Police Chief Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn clarified that no official charges have been pressed against him; they have been filed only against his subordinates. This is due to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)'s pending decision on whether they will handle the case or let the police proceed. A case involving high-ranking officers is usually handled by the NACC. "I am still 100% innocent, and the charges have been communicated to my subordinates only," he asserted. He believes the NACC's delay in its decision, despite being informed by the police since last year, stems from their caution about being used as a tool by officers pressing charges against him. "I believe the NACC is concerned that police infighting might be the motive, and they do not want to be used as a tool by the police," he added. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, said yesterday that the police are charging Pol Gen Surachate with the wrongful exercise of duties and accepting bribes. These charges are related to the discovery of financial links between Pol Gen Surachate and an illegal online gambling network through at least 4 mule accounts valued at 300 million baht. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat urged the NACC to return the case to the police so they can continue the investigation. Pol Gen Surachate said today that since Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat claimed the case involved money laundering of assets exceeding 300 million baht, the police lack the authority to investigate it, as such cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Special Investigation. He warned that investigative officers could face legal consequences for initiating an unauthorized investigation. "The press conference [by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat] yesterday was intended to pressure the NACC and has dragged the NACC into the conflict," he stated. Furthermore, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing or connection with illegal online gambling rings.

Embattled deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, called a press conference today to declare his innocence, after he was among five police officers charged by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) for allegedly extorting money from an illegal online gambling network.

National Police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol on Friday issued an urgent order to all police officers to avoid giving information or interviews to the media that could undermine the image or operations of the Royal Thai Police, or create a condition that would lead to personal benefits.

In the heart of the bustling and vibrant land of smiles, Thailand, a tale as intriguing as a spicy Thai curry unfolded, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. On a seemingly ordinary Friday, whispers and murmurings emerged, transforming into a full-blown drama that captured the attention of the nation.

The national police chief has ordered the transfer of eight officers linked to Suchanun "Minnie" Sucharitchinsri, a woman accused of running an online gambling network, to prevent them from interfering with the case.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to take over from the police an investigation into the alleged involvement of deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn and four other parties in a major online gambling network that was busted earlier.

Warrants have been approved for the arrest of three police officers and a civilian, while a summons has been issued for a high-ranking police officer over accusations of money laundering in connection with an illegal online gambling network.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn filed a defamation complaint against Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, for accusing him of wrongful exercise of duties and accepting bribes, relating to the ongoing case against Pol Gen Surachate for alleged financial links to an illegal online gambling network. Pol Gen Surachate's lawyer, Natthakorn Tosakul, said Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat discredited the deputy national police chief when he told reporters about the investigation against Pol Gen Surachate on February 22. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said on February 22 that the police are seeking to charge Pol Gen Surachate with the wrongful exercise of duties and accepting bribes. These charges are related to the discovery of alleged financial links between Pol Gen Surachate and an illegal online gambling network through at least four mule accounts valued at 300 million baht. Natthakorn said the details provided by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat should not have been divulged due to the ongoing investigation, and some of the information was inaccurate, further damaging Pol Gen Surachate's reputation. Regarding the alleged financial links, Natthakorn said Pol Gen Surachate's legal team will conduct a press conference soon to explain them. He also mentioned that Pol Gen Surachate could address all the allegations against him, and their findings involve other financial links to civil servants from various agencies, which will certainly impact them.

Enquiry officers from Bangkok’s Thung Song Hong police station have issued a summons for Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, to acknowledge money laundering charges, in connection with the BNKMaster online gambling website, which has been closed by the police and is under investigation.

Police have summonsed deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn to face a money-laundering charge in connection with alleged online gambling.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn's legal team will hold a press conference on March 19 to expose high-ranking officers who are allegedly linked to an illegal gambling network, according to news reports. This comes after he was officially summoned for money laundering in connection with an online gambling ring. Pol Gen Surachate received the summons from investigative officers at Thung Song Hong Police Station, with the summoning date set for March 21. National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukwimon has been informed of this summons, and news reports indicate that he will assign Assistant National Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Kraiboon Suadsong in his capacity as inspector-general to oversee the case against Pol Gen Surachate. The case is related to the investigation of alleged financial connections between Pol Gen Surachate and an illegal online gambling network, involving at least four mule accounts valued at 300 million baht.

National deputy police chief Pol General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn was served with a summons to appear in court on Thursday to face money laundering charges.

National police chief Pol Gen Torsak Suvimol said on Monday that his deputy Surachate Hakparn may be suspended due to a probe into the latter's alleged involvement in an online gambling network and the case would be concluded before the chief's retirement this September.

Pol Maj Gen Namkiat Teerarojanapon, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s training center and one of Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn's subordinates, said Pol Gen Surachate's team is being investigated for alleged connections with the "Minnie" illegal online gambling ring because of their investigation against Chon Buri provincial police chief and seven senior police officers for allegedly extorting 140 million baht from online gambling suspects. Pol Gen Surachate and his team are now being investigated for two cases, including the Minnie case and the BNK Master illegal online gambling website which are connected. The investigation against Pol Gen Surachate on the Minnie case is now being handled by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) while the investigation against Pol Gen Surachate on the BNK Master is being handled by investigators at Taopoon Police Station. The latest police summonings of Pol Gen Surachate were related to the Minnie case and the BNK Master case even though the two cases shared the same suspects. The BNK Master case came after Pol Gen Surachate argued that the police had no power to investigate him because the NACC already accepted the case against him but the case that the NACC accepted was the Minnie case, not the BNK Master case. Pol Maj Gen Namkiat did not provide evidence against his claim that he and Pol Gen Surachate's team are being investigated because of their investigation into the 140 million baht extortion case. However, he did say that it was the investigation against a Police Colonel in the case that led to alleged retaliation and the Police Colonel's name has an initial "D" in it. In June 2023, former Chon Buri provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapaporn, and seven senior police officers were moved to inactive posts for the alleged extortion, pending an investigation that is still ongoing. The seven other officers include Pol Lt Col Narongrit Wasuphan (deputy Chon Buri chief), Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai (deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri), Pol Maj Pornthep Phetnuan (investigation chief at Wang Chan station in Rayong), Pol Col Damrong Onta (superintendent at the Cyber Investigation Bureau), Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, Pol Lt Col Pathomphong Meeyu, and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert. Pol Maj Gen Namkiat also claimed that there is a financial trail between the curator of the BNK Master website and the family members of a police general whose name has an initial "T" in it and his wife whose name has an initial "K" in it. He did not provide evidence for this claim as well. Meanwhile, Pol Gen Surachate's legal team continued to deny alleged links between the deputy national police chief and the Minnie online gambling ring, and the BNK Master online gambling website. They said the 200,000 baht donation to a temple that the investigators said came from the gambling website was actually Pol Gen Surachate's money. They said the 13,100 baht that was claimed to have been used to buy plane tickets for NACC officials that the investigators said came from the gambling website has nothing to do with Pol Gen Surachate because it was one of his subordinates who made the purchase for himself and his family. They also said the alleged three financial trails between Pol Gen Surachate and the BNK Master website do not exist and questioned why the investigators targeted Pol Gen Surachate in this case when there are 31 other financial trails that could lead to other police groups. They also questioned why there is a need to open a separate case for the BNK Master website when the curator of the website is already a suspect in the Minnie case.

Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, the national police chief, maintains that one of his deputies, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, is not the victim of persecution or of foul play over the issuance of a summons for him to report to Thung Song Hong police station, to acknowledge money laundering charges related to the BNKMaster online gambling website.

Pol Maj Gen Namkiat Teerarojanapon, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s training center and one of Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn's subordinates, said Pol Gen Surachate's team is being investigated for alleged connections with the "Minnie" illegal online gambling ring because of their investigation against Chon Buri provincial police chief and seven senior police officers for allegedly extorting 140 million baht from online gambling suspects. Pol Gen Surachate and his team are now being investigated for two cases, including the Minnie case and the BNK Master illegal online gambling website which are connected. The investigation against Pol Gen Surachate on the Minnie case is now being handled by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) while the investigation against Pol Gen Surachate on the BNK Master is being handled by investigators at Taopoon Police Station. The latest police summonings of Pol Gen Surachate were related to the Minnie case and the BNK Master case even though the two cases shared the same suspects. The BNK Master case came after Pol Gen Surachate argued that the police had no power to investigate him because the NACC already accepted the case against him but the case that the NACC accepted was the Minnie case, not the BNK Master case. Pol Maj Gen Namkiat did not provide evidence against his claim that he and Pol Gen Surachate's team are being investigated because of their investigation into the 140 million baht extortion case. However, he did say that it was the investigation against a Police Colonel in the case that led to alleged retaliation and the Police Colonel's name has an initial "D" in it. In June 2023, former Chon Buri provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapaporn, and seven senior police officers were moved to inactive posts for the alleged extortion, pending an investigation that is still ongoing. The seven other officers include Pol Lt Col Narongrit Wasuphan (deputy Chon Buri chief), Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai (deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri), Pol Maj Pornthep Phetnuan (investigation chief at Wang Chan station in Rayong), Pol Col Damrong Onta (superintendent at the Cyber Investigation Bureau), Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, Pol Lt Col Pathomphong Meeyu, and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert. Pol Maj Gen Namkiat also claimed that there is a financial trail between the curator of the BNK Master website and the family members of a police general whose name has an initial "T" in it and his wife whose name has an initial "K" in it. He did not provide evidence for this claim as well. Meanwhile, Pol Gen Surachate's legal team continued to deny alleged links between the deputy national police chief and the Minnie online gambling ring, and the BNK Master online gambling website. They said the 200,000 baht donation to a temple that the investigators said came from the gambling website was actually Pol Gen Surachate's money. They said the 13,100 baht that was claimed to have been used to buy plane tickets for NACC officials that the investigators said came from the gambling website has nothing to do with Pol Gen Surachate because it was one of his subordinates who made the purchase for himself and his family. They also said the alleged three financial trails between Pol Gen Surachate and the BNK Master website do not exist and questioned why the investigators targeted Pol Gen Surachate in this case when there are 31 other financial trails that could lead to other police groups. They also questioned why there is a need to open a separate case for the BNK Master website when the curator of the website is already a suspect in the Minnie case. Update: National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol stated that Pol Maj Gen Namkiat and Pol Gen Surachate's legal team should present evidence against the more than 30 police officers, including high-ranking officers, allegedly linked to online gambling rings, instead of merely providing initials of their names. Pol Gen Torsak also announced an investigation into the claim that Pol Gen Surachate and his team are being targeted for their investigations, while no inquiries are being conducted regarding financial transactions that could implicate other police groups. Regarding the claim that Pol Gen Surachate and his team are being targeted due to their investigation into the 140 million baht extortion case involving other police officers, Pol Gen Torsak asserted that the two cases are unrelated. He expressed confidence that such practices do not occur under his command. Pol Gen Torsak emphasized that if evidence is provided, investigations into the officers will be conducted. However, he criticized the public airing of such claims without substantiating evidence, stating that it has already brought disgrace to the entire Royal Thai Police.

National police chief Torsak Sukvimol said on Wednesday he is handing all legal cases involving his deputy Surachate Hakparn over to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, hoping to end the impression of conflict within the Royal Thai Police Office.

National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn have been transferred to inactive posts at the Office of the Prime Minister as per the instruction of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, according to news reports. According to the reports, Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet will assume the acting national police chief position. Update: This development occurred after Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate held a joint press conference following their meeting with Srettha, stating that the internal conflict within the Royal Thai Police has been resolved. Pol Gen Torsak mentioned that cases involving police officers accused of malfeasance, bribery, extortion, and money laundering in connection with online gambling rings, reportedly involving around 30-40 officers across various ongoing cases, will be investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Pol Gen Surachate emphasized the urgency of swiftly resolving the conflict to enable active officers to resume their duties. Additionally, Pol Gen Torsak refuted the existence of any significant conflict initially. These statements were prompted by remarks made yesterday by Pol Maj Gen Namkiat Teerarojanapon, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s training center and one of Pol Gen Surachate's subordinates. He suggested that Pol Gen Surachate's team is under investigation for alleged connections with the "Minnie" illegal online gambling ring due to their inquiry into the alleged extortion of 140 million baht from online gambling suspects by the Chon Buri provincial police chief and seven senior police officers. All such allegations and related cases will now be reviewed by the NACC. Both the Royal Thai Police and the PM Office have yet to confirm news reports regarding the transfer of both Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate to inactive posts. Update: Prime Minister Srettha has confirmed that both Pol Gen Torsak "Big Tor" Sukvimol and Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn have been transferred to inactive posts at the Office of the Prime Minister. The transfer will be temporary, lasting around two months, pending investigations into allegations against them. Additionally, a source has confirmed that Pol Gen Kittirat "Big Tai" Phanphet will assume the acting national police chief position. Both Pol Gen Surachate and Pol Gen Kittirat are candidates for the National Police Chief position, as Pol Gen Torsak is set to retire in around six months' time.

Pol Gen Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Police Chief, has confirmed PM Srettha has issued an order for Pol Gen Torsak Sukwimon, Police Chief, & Pol Gen Surachet Hakphan, Deputy Pol Chief, to temporarily transfer to the PM's Office and appoint him as acting Police Chief. The order comes as two police chiefs have been at odds over their investigations into online gambling, which they may be involved in.

There is no guarantee that National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn will be back from suspension, as their return to active duty will depend on ongoing investigations into the allegations against them, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after chairing a meeting with the Royal Thai Police. He said it could be 30 days, 60 days, or faster and added that he wanted society to rest assured that no one would be able to interfere with the justice process. Srettha was accompanied by Pol Gen Kittirat "Big Tai" Phanphet, acting national police chief, at the press conference. Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate were transferred to inactive posts at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. This came after Pol Maj Gen Namkiat Teerarojanapon, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s training center and one of Pol Gen Surachate's subordinates, publicly claimed that Pol Gen Surachate's team is under investigation for alleged connections with the "Minnie" illegal online gambling ring due to their inquiry into the alleged extortion of 140 million baht from online gambling suspects by high-ranking officers in Chonburi. Pol Gen Surachate's legal team also claims that there are other financial trails that lead to 30 more officers, but Pol Gen Surachate's team was targeted because the investigators wanted to discredit him. Pol Maj Gen Namkiat also claimed that there is a financial trail between the curator of an illegal online website and the family members of a police general whose name has an initial "T" in it and his wife whose name has an initial "K" in it. Pol Gen Torsak then told reporters afterward that Pol Maj Gen Namkiat and Pol Gen Surachate's legal team should present evidence for their accusations instead of merely providing initials of their names. After Pol Gen Torsak's comments to the press, Srettha has decided to suspend both Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate. All investigations against Pol Gen Surachate will now be handled by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and a police committee has been set up by Srettha to look into other allegations made by Pol Maj Gen Namkiat and Pol Gen Surachate's legal team.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered the transfer of national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn to work at the Prime Minister's Office in the wake of a conflict within the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin deserves praise for promptly transferring two high-ranking police officers -- national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn -- to inactive posts at Government House.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today ordered senior police officers to stop talking or giving news to the media about the BNKMaster online gambling case, in an effort to ease tensions within the police service while the case is being considered by an ad hoc fact-finding committee.

Tao Poon Police Station didn't receive the memo, as they have issued another summons for Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. He is accused of malfeasance, bribery, and money laundering in connection with financial trials involving him, the "Minnie" illegal online gambling ring, and the BNK Master illegal online gambling website. The latest summons for Big Joke is related to the BNK Master case, which the police are handling, while the Minnie case is being dealt with by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The latest summons came as a surprise since both Pol Gen Surachate and National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol stated on Wednesday that all cases against Pol Gen Surachate would now be handled by the NACC. This latest summons is the second in the same case, as Pol Gen Surachate failed to appear at the first summons yesterday. However, the police officers in charge of delivering the summons to Pol Gen Surachate could not find anyone to receive it when they arrived at his house, as he had left before their arrival and no one else was home. According to news reports, Pol Gen Surachate stated that he is on a leave of absence for a personal visit to Nong Khai and will travel to the UK with his family on March 26 before returning to Thailand on April 1, when his legal team will hold another press conference.

Tao Poon police successfully delivered a summon letter to former Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, SKA "Big Joke", by leaving it at his house Fri but Surachate wasn't at home. Reporters saw Surachate's car leaving just minutes before Tao Poon police arrived. Surachate who is accused of money laundering in relation to an online gambling business is on leave and will be travelling to the UK according, to a source, on March 26, and return on April 1.

PM Srettha says Fri the press should stop fixating on the alleged feud between former Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and ex deputy chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, who’s facing a charge of money laundering, now that both have been transferred to inactive post.

A second summons notice was posted at a Bangkok house of embattled deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn on Friday for him to hear money-laundering charges against him next Tuesday (March 26).

Police are considering seeking an arrest warrant against deputy national police chief Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn should he fail to respond to a summons submitted for the second time on Friday at his home addresses and current workplace.

Justice will be done to resolve the conflict between two high-ranking police officers over alleged bribes tied to an illegal online gambling network, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Wednesday.

The police have issued a third summons warrant for suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, according to news reports. Pol Gen Surachate is accused of malfeasance, bribery, and money laundering in connection with financial trials involving him, the "Minnie" illegal online gambling ring, and the BNK Master illegal online gambling website. The latest summons for Big Joke is related to the BNK Master case, which the police are handling, while the Minnie case is being dealt with by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Pol Gen Surachate has failed to show up for the two previous summonses, and if he fails to report to the Metropolitan Police Division 2 for the third summons on April 1, an arrest warrant could be issued for the suspended deputy national police chief.

Deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn would face arrest if he did not report himself to police investigators by April 1 to hear money-laundering charges against him, an informed source said on Thursday.

Temporarily transferred national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has sued high-profile lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd for defamation for accusing him of being involved in taking bribes from illegal businesses.

Celebrity lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd declared on Saturday that he will file a police complaint against the National Police chief and his wife for their alleged role in money laundering.

Well-known lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd is scheduled to submit information to the Move Forward Party (MFP) on Monday about alleged bribery involving online gambling networks, national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and his wife.

Lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd has officially filed a police report against suspended National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, accusing him and his wife of money laundering. The evidence includes financial trails from an alleged police bribery ring, including two alleged mule accounts that could be linked to Pol Gen Torsak and his wife. Sittha had earlier handed this set of evidence to the police's anti-corruption division, and today he is filing a police report and handing in the evidence to the Tao Poon Police Station. He said he would later provide an official statement to the police, and his investigator would also provide a statement as a witness in the case. He added that he would hand the evidence to all related agencies if possible, with the next step being the Parliament's committee on police affairs. He also said he has yet to file a negligence complaint against Pol Gen Torsak. Lawyer Sittha had previously accused Pol Gen Torsak, his subordinates, and dozens of other officers of accepting monthly bribes worth 100 million baht from at least 18 groups of businesses. He asserted that Pol Gen Torsak had full control over at least two mule accounts that had been receiving the bribe money. Pol Gen Torsak's legal team had previously filed a 5 million baht lawsuit against Lawyer Sittha, accusing him of defaming the suspended National Police Chief's reputation. However, the lawsuit was dropped by the legal team less than 24 hours later on March 30, citing their willingness to fight the case without the defamation lawsuit hanging in the background, especially since Lawyer Sittha indicated he would file an official police report today.

Lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd on Monday filed a police complaint against national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and his wife, and the owners of two mule accounts, accusing them of money laundering.

Police reform still looks a distant prospect as internal rifts, scandals and political inference continue to beset the Royal Thai Police (RTP), according to observers.

The Criminal Court on Tues issues an arrest warrant against ex Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, AKA "Big Joke", aft he failed to answer to police summons thrice for charge of money laundering related to online gambling business. It's unclear where he is.

Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, AKA "Big Joke", turns himself in Tuesday evening after the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant following his failure to answer to police summons thrice for charge of money laundering related to online gambling business.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, AKA "Big Joke," turned himself in at Bangkok's Tao Poon police station Tues evening. The Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant aft he failed to respond to 3 summonses for money laundering related to online gambling. The questioning process took over an hour. When he was granted bail & when departing he was asked about the rumour that he denied fingerprinting, Surachet replied, "I followed normal procedures. He also stated that as long as the court has not given a verdict, he is still considered innocent.

The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Police Lieutenant General Surachate Hakparn after three summonses were issued and not responded to. The request for the arrest warrant was made by the investigative officers of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) on April 2nd at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road. The warrant accuses Lt. Gen. Surachate of conspiring to commit crimes, money laundering, and being a public officer involved in money laundering, under the Anti-Money Laundering Act According to news reports, Pol Gen Surachate already turned himself in at Tao Poon Police Station.

The Ratchadapisek Criminal Court issued a warrant this afternoon for the arrest of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, on the grounds that there is sufficient evidence that he was involved in money laundering in connection with an online gambling platform and attempted to dodge summonses issued by police investigators.

Deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn turned himself in to police to answer charges of money laundering, just hours after after investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest on Tuesday.

Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn was granted bail. He was charged with money laundering. He would not divulge his plea. He said he is still innocent under the presumption of innocence. He said he is willing to fight the case and let justice run its course. He was accused by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, in connection with alleged financial ties between an illegal online gambling ring and the suspended Deputy National Police Chief.

Lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd submitted evidence, including financial trials from an alleged police bribery ring, to high-ranking police officers on the police's complaint committee. This evidence was received by Pol Lt-Gen Sorasak Yenprem, the head of the committee. Additionally, Lawyer Sittha submitted the evidence to the main opposition Move Forward Party today. Earlier, the lawyer had filed a police report against suspended National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol at the Taopoon Police Station, accusing him and his wife of money laundering. He also handed in the same set of evidence against POl Gen Torsak to the police's anti-corruption division, which was received by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau. Pol Lt Gen Rewat Klinkesorn, former commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, who was also present when Sittha handed in the evidence to the police's complaint committee, said the committee was not appointed by the Royal Thai Police and they are independent from the national police force. If found guilty, the implicated officers could be fired from the force, he added.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn will not be suspended from police duty, for now, said Pol Gen Kittirat "Big Tai" Phanphet, acting national police chief. Pol Gen Surachate was moved to inactive duty at the PM's Office following instructions from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This means that he has been suspended from the Deputy National Police Chief position, but not from police duty, and he is still receiving his full wage and welfare. Pol Gen Kittirat explained that there are procedures that need to be followed, and the national police HQ has yet to receive reports about the allegations against Pol Gen Surachate, as the investigative officers are still probing the accusations. Pol Gen Surachate was accused of money laundering in connection with alleged financial transactions from an illegal online gambling network that allegedly involved him and his subordinates. An arrest warrant has been issued for him after he failed to comply with three previous summoning warrants. He turned himself in after the Criminal Court approved the arrest warrant, and he was granted bail yesterday. Pol Gen Kittirat said that, apart from the reports from the investigative officers, the national police HQ is also waiting for a statement from Pol Gen Surachate regarding the allegations against him. After these reports come in, they will be compiled by the criminal division before being forwarded to him to consider what measures should be implemented. The disciplinary division will also need to provide their opinion before any disciplinary actions can be decided upon. When asked how long the special investigation committee, set up by the prime minister to look into allegations against Pol Gen Surachate and suspended National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, has before they have to present their findings, Pol Gen Kittirat said they have 60 days but they could request extensions.

Deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, has not been suspended yet as the Royal Thai Police needs to set up a committee to probe the allegations against him first, the acting national police chief said.

Initial investigation suggests ex Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn is guilty of money laundering related to online gambling business, said Pol Gen Winai Songthong, a member of investigation committee. He adds the results was arrived aft interrogating 30 people.

Big Joke urged to resign amid scandal that has enveloped him. Pundit Jatuporn Prompan advises a career shift after preliminary guilty finding by the PM’s panel and an arrest warrant. Thailand’s top cop faces dire career prospects as an extended legal battle looms. Further shocking revelations in the Royal Thai Police corruption saga expected as activist lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd digs further.

Deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn sounds surprisingly cheerful given that his high-flying career has just plunged into another crisis.

Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has requested an additional 10 days to prepare a statement regarding his money laundering case. Pol Gen Surachate is accused of accepting bribes and involvement in money laundering linked to the Minnie illegal online gambling ring, currently under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Additionally, he is implicated in the BNK Master illegal online gambling website, a case being handled by the police, though the two investigations are connected. Pol Gen Surachate failed to comply with three summonses for the BNK Master case before an arrest warrant was issued, leading to his surrender on April 2. He was subsequently granted bail but was expected to provide his statement to the police today. However, he requested more time to gather evidence in support of his statement. His request was granted, and his next reporting date to the police is scheduled for April 27.

Ex Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has been suspended from the police force Thurs. Order was signed by caretaker Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Panpetch aft he met PM Srettha.
Surachate was charged with money laundering related to online gambling.

Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, who was serving in an inactive post at the PM's Office, has reportedly been fully suspended from the police force, as per news reports. Additionally, four of his subordinates have also been suspended from the police force. They are: - Pol Col Kittichai Sangkhathaworn
- Pol Lt Gen Krit Pariyaket
- Pol Sgt Natthawut Wadwaew
- Pol Sgt Natthanan Chuchak Pol Gen Surachate is facing allegations of accepting bribes and involvement in money laundering related to the Minnie illegal online gambling ring, which is currently under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Moreover, he is implicated in the BNK Master illegal online gambling website, which is a case being handled by the police. These two investigations are believed to be interconnected.

The Southerners Assoc issues a statement opposition the decision to suspend former Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from police service yest aft he was charged with money laundering related to online gambling. The association, in which Surachate is president, said he should be assumed innocent until proven otherwise by the court.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party and a list MP, denied any knowledge of alleged misconduct by a current member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). His comments followed a complaint filed by suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn against Suchart Trakulkasemsuk for potential misconduct and impartiality. Pol Gen Surachate claimed that Suchart might be biased against him and suggested that Gen Prawit could be a witness to Suchart's alleged misconduct. Gen Prawit stated today that he does not personally know Suchart. NACC's Secretary-General, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, confirmed in a separate interview with the press this morning that the NACC will investigate Pol Gen Surachate's allegations against Suchart. When asked whether Suchart would be excluded from the investigation into Pol Gen Surachate, who is under investigation for alleged bribery and money laundering, Niwatchai responded that they must first look into Pol Gen Surachate's allegations against Suchart. Regarding whether this complaint from Pol Gen Surachate will delay the investigation against him, Niwatchai explained that the investigation process has not yet reached the commissioners, so the complaint will not impact the investigation. Regarding the leaked document containing Pol Gen Surachate's complaint against Suchart that began circulating online over the weekend, Niwatchai said the NACC did not release it and suggested that Pol Gen Surachate might have released it himself. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn should petition the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions if he possesses evidence of misconduct by NACC commissioner Suchart Trakulkasemsuk. His comments followed Pol Gen Surachate's request for the NACC to forward his petition against Suchart to the House Speaker to investigate Suchart's conduct while serving as an NACC commissioner. He noted that the court is directly responsible for investigating such allegations. When asked about the claim that Suchart manipulated the NACC appointment process to secure his selection, Wan Noor mentioned that Parliament has yet to address it, but highlighted that the court could also examine the allegation.

PM Srettha said Mon there is nothing new or anything to worry abt suspended former Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn filing a complaint against him with the National Anti-Corruption Commission accusing him of abusing his power. Surachate was suspended from the police force lady week following a charge that he laundered money related to illegal online gambling business.

Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has filed a petition asking the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and police investigators who are conducting an inquiry against him for alleged misconduct. He also claims that Srettha and the police investigators aim to block him from becoming a police chief. Pol Gen Surachate is facing allegations of accepting bribes and involvement in money laundering related to the Minnie illegal online gambling ring, which is currently under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Additionally, he is implicated in the BNK Master illegal online gambling website, a case being handled by the police. These two investigations are believed to be interconnected. He has been suspended from police duty pending an investigation into his case. Pol Gen Surachate contends that the police investigation against him is unfair. He alleges: - The police investigators do not have the authority to investigate him for the BNK Master case because it is linked to the Minnie case, which is already under investigation by the NACC. He claims that the alleged financial trail in the Minnie and BNK Master cases, which allegedly leads to his subordinate, Pol Lt Gen Krit Pariyaket, is the same. - The NACC has identified issues with the investigation in the Minnie case, but the police investigators want to continue pursuing the case independently. This is why, according to him, the Tao Poon Police Station initiated a new case, BNK Master, to discredit him and impede his prospects of becoming a police chief. - Both cases involve high-ranking officers and an alleged money trail exceeding 300 million baht, warranting investigation by the NACC. - Pol Gen Surachate further alleges that Prime Minister Srettha's decisions to reassign him to an inactive post, establish a special police committee to investigate him, and then return him to an active post to facilitate his suspension from police duty were aimed at discrediting him. He maintains his innocence until proven otherwise by the NACC, thereby deeming the suspension unjust and alleging that it was intended to impede his prospects of becoming a police chief. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn's petition for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate him is linked to alleged abuse of power in approving the appointment of suspended National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. Srettha said Pol Gen Surachate's allegations are not new, as a similar petition has been previously filed. He insisted that the appointment process was conducted in accordance with regulations, highlighting that the Police Commission voted 9-1 to appoint Pol Gen Torsak as the 14th National Police Chief. Srettha also clarified that he did not favor any candidate or show bias toward any individual. Pol Gen Surachate was a candidate in the previous appointment and is considered one of the leading contenders for the next reshuffle. Srettha questioned why Pol Gen Surachate waited until now to file the petition, considering that Pol Gen Torsak was appointed in September 2023. Regarding Pol Gen Surachate's complaint against the decision to transfer him to inactive duty, Srettha explained that the request to transfer him to the Prime Minister's Office originated from the Royal Thai Police, and he merely endorsed it. He noted that failure to proceed with the transfer could result in a negligence investigation against him.

Deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn on Monday accused Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance in having him suspended and said that as a result he was blocked from becoming the next national police chief.

Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn withdrew his petition against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin just one day after filing it. He stated that he no longer questions the PM's actions. He had requested the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the prime minister for allegedly not following the law in the appointment of suspended National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, as well as for alleged abuse of power in transferring him to inactive duty and subsequently suspending him from police duty. However, he has not withdrawn his petition asking the NACC to investigate the police investigators looking into money laundering allegations against him in connection with the BNK Master case. Surachate Hakparn argues that these investigators lack jurisdiction over the case since it is linked to the Minnie case, which is already under investigation by the NACC. He accuses the investigators of attempting to discredit him to prevent him from potentially becoming the national police chief in the future. Despite Pol Gen Surachate's decision to withdraw his petition, the investigation against PM Srettha in terms of the appointment of Pol Gen Torsak will continue, as a similar complaint was filed by former police chief Sereepisuth Temeeyaves in October 2023.

Pol General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn on Tuesday withdrew the complaint he had filed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) accusing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code for suspending him from the police force.

The name of former Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has been removed from both the official police website and from a chart at the National Police HQ. The move came aft Surachate was charged with money laundering related to online gambling business.

Pol General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has lodged an official complaint against the acting national police chief, saying the order suspending him from service was unlawful.

A Royal Thai Police disciplinary probe panel will issue a summons for suspended deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn and four other police officers to acknowledge a critical disciplinary violation accusation, deputy national chief Pol Gen Sarawut Kanpanich said yesterday.

Lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd submitted additional evidence against suspended National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol to the Anti-Money Laundering Office. The evidence includes an alleged financial trail from 18 business groups engaged in illegal activities to the bank accounts of Gen Torsak Sukvimol and his wife. The details include the alleged monthly financial trail from the businesses to two of Gen Torsak Sukvimol's subordinates who laundered the money before sending around 100,000 baht every month to the accounts of Gen Torsak Sukvimol's wife. Other evidence of money laundering includes investments in various businesses such as a resort in Khao Yai, donations, and high-value assets, including two houses in the UK. Lawyer Sittha also said that the two houses in the UK were not declared as part of his assets, which means that he could be filing false asset declarations with the National Anti-Corruption Commission as well.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases dismissed the case against four police investigators who requested arrest warrants for eight subordinates of suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. Pol Gen Surachate and his subordinate are being investigated for alleged bribery and money laundering in connection to an alleged financial trail between them and an illegal online gambling ring. The court stated that there is not enough evidence to demonstrate that the police investigators abused their power by pursuing the case and requesting the arrest warrants to discredit Pol Gen Surachate, who is a candidate for the police chief position, as claimed by the suspended Deputy National Police Chief.

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 7 dismissed a case against 10 police officers who arrested a subordinate of suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. The officers from the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) were accused of abuse of power for arresting Pol Lt Col Krit Pariyaket, deputy chief of the Phra Samut Chedi police station in Samut Prakan, and confiscating his assets. Pol Lt Col Krit was accused of money laundering in connection with a money trail from an illegal online gambling ring. Pol Gen Surachate was also accused in the same case. Pol Lt Col Krit said that some of the assets that have been confiscated have nothing to do with the case and he was threatened to give them up by the arresting officers. The court said the officers were simply following procedures and have done nothing wrong in the arrest and confiscation.

Suspended Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn stated that he has gathered 20,000 signatures to submit a petition for investigating a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). This action follows Pol Gen Surachate's request to the NACC and the House Speaker to investigate Commissioner Suchart Trakulkasemsuk for allegedly showing impartiality, which constitutes severe ethical misconduct. He mentioned that Suchart has solicited support from powerful politicians, including Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, to secure his position within the NACC. Pol Gen Surachate also accused Suchart of possessing unusually high wealth. Pol Gen Surachate expects to complete the gathering of 20,000 signatures within two weeks.

The former deputy chief of the Royal Thai Police, Pol General Surachate Hakparn, on Thursday submitted a petition to the Parliament president seeking the impeachment of a commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The investigation into the allegations against suspended national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and deputy national chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, as well as the conflict in the Royal Thai Police, will be extended by another 30 days, according to Pol Gen Winai Thongsong, the chairperson of the committee overseeing the investigation. Initially, the investigation was expected to be completed within 60 days, or by May 20. However, it will now be extended by 30 days to thoroughly investigate the alleged financial connections between illegal businesses and the two officers. Pol Gen Thongsong said Pol Gen Torsak had already provided his statement in person to the committee, and his implicated wife and brother have also submitted their statements. The committee is currently reviewing these statements. Additionally, the investigation into Pol Gen Surachate has yet to be completed.

The Office of the Prime Minister said the decision to suspend Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from police duty was made in accordance with regulations and was not the decision of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The office suggested that the suspended deputy police chief should file an appeal with the police's ethics committee instead. These comments were made after Pol Gen Surachate filed a complaint about the suspension with the office on April 18 and also asked the prime minister to lift the order. Meanwhile, Pol Gen Surachate withdrew a lawsuit against 30 officers at the Tao Poon Police Station for investigating him for money laundering. Pol Gen Surachate accused them of abusing their power because they did not have the jurisdiction to investigate him, as that authority belonged to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). According to news reports, the lawsuit was withdrawn since Pol Gen Surachate is already asking the NACC to investigate the investigative officers. This occurred after various courts had earlier dismissed complaints from Pol Gen Surachate's subordinates against investigative officers who were conducting investigations against them.

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, widely known as Big Joke, is among a handful of officers whose meteoric rise in the force should lead them to being tapped as the next police commissioner-general. Pol Gen Surachate became a police general at about 40 years old but his career journey could be abruptly cut short.

Former deputy national police chief Surachate says he has thousands of signatures to back NACC impeachment effort.

The Office of the Council of State stated that the suspension of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from the police force may not have been conducted in accordance with regulations. The office suggested that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and relevant agencies must wait for the results of the investigation against Pol Gen Surachate to be completed before seeking royal endorsement for the suspension.

Acting national police chief, Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, said the police have adhered to their protocols in suspending Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from the police force. The matter is now under review by the Council of State and the Prime Minister's Office to ensure compliance with regulations regarding seeking a royal endorsement for the suspension. Earlier this week, the Council of State highlighted that the suspension of Pol Gen Surachate from the police force may not have been conducted in accordance with regulations. Suspending him while an investigation is pending, in a case where he has not yet been found guilty, does not meet the criteria for exemption from requiring a royal endorsement for the suspension. Exemptions typically apply to cases of death, retirement, or punishment. Regarding Pol Gen Surachate's status, Pol Gen Kittirat confirmed that he remains a deputy national police chief, but his duties have been suspended due to the order for him to be suspended from his civil servant duty.

The National Press Council of Thailand said two reporters have accepted money from their sources. This stems from Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn's claim in September 2023 that he regularly pays around 3 to 4 reporters who have been covering his investigations. Pol. Gen. Surachate said he paid them approximately 10,000 baht for food and accommodation each time they reported on cases under his jurisdiction because he knows that they have low wages and he wanted to help them. The council said one of the reporters confessed to having received the 10,000 baht from Pol Gen Surachate twice. However, the reporter said the suspended deputy national police chief did not request anything. Their council said their actions were against journalist ethics, but since one of them has already resigned in October 2023 and another does not belong to an agency, no further action has been taken on their part.

Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has submitted a petition requesting House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to ask the Supreme Court to investigate a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Pol Gen Surachate stated that the petition is supported by signatures from 24,085 people. He called for an investigation into NACC Commissioner Suchart Trakulkasemsuk, whom he accuses of being unusually wealthy and allegedly displaying impartiality, actions that he claims constitute severe ethical misconduct.

Suspended deputy police chief hands list over to House speaker, demanding impeachment of ‘unusually’ wealthy NACC commissioner

Srettha says legal adviser tasked with announcing investigation results but refuses to say if either top cop will be reinstated

Chief legal advisor of the Government Wissanu Krea-ngam held a press conference on Thursday saying Pol Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol is reassuring his post after he was cleared of corruption allegation. Click to show more

Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as the national police chief, while the order to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from his civil servant duty was deemed unlawful, said Prime Minister's legal adviser Wissanu Krea-ngam. Click to show more

Investigation finds high-profile corruption cases sparked much-publicised spat between top cop and deputy.

The much-awaited findings of a probe into the conflict between national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn are a major let-down.

The House Committee on Police Affairs on Friday demanded the disclosure of the results of the investigation into the conflict between national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and one of his deputies, Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn.

Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn criticized Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for allegedly failing to fulfill his leadership role as chairperson of the Police Commission. Click to show more

Former deputy national police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn has threatened to file a malfeasance lawsuit against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin if he fails to order the police chief to reinstate him.

Suspended deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said on Monday he would petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for an investigation unless Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin completes his reinstatement.

Two senior police officers said today that they are not worried about legal action to be taken against them by Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, who was cleared of any wrongdoing last week by a fact-finding committee.

Pol. Gen. Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn filed a defamation complaint against a member of the Police Commission who was also a member of the special committee set up to look into the conflict between Pol. Gen. Surachate and national police chief Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol. Click to show more

Police General Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, appears to be embarking on a vendetta against those he blames for his recent fall from grace.

A Police Commission meeting will be held today to discuss the fate of deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Tuesday.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission needs more time to study a complaint of alleged malfeasance filed by former deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the NACC Office secretary-general said on Wednesday.

The Police Commission voted 12-0 to determine that the Royal Thai Police's order to dismiss Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from the police force was in accordance with regulations, according to news reports. Click to show more

Police source on Weds says all the 12 police commission members voted today saying it's right to temporarily remove Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from service until the probe on alleged corruption related to illegal online gambling business is concluded.

The Police Commission has voted 12-0 to endorse the order by Acting National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet to remove Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn from the police service.

Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn stated that his defamation lawsuit against Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew of the Central Investigation Bureau can be settled, but they need to discuss it first. His comments came after Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat requested a second delay for the hearing on the case. Click to show more

Beleaguered Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn filed a complaint today with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), accusing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance in office over his appointment last year of Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the national police chief.

Former deputy police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn on Wednesday filed a complaint against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over the appointment of National Police chief last year.

A policewoman from a Bangkok station was sentenced on Thursday to 125 years in jail for embezzling suspects’ bail worth a total of 720,000 baht.

Thai cyber police have continued to suppress both Thai and foreign scammers in Thailand. Last time, in Operation The Purge EP.1, they seized assets of suspects worth over 250 million baht or 6.8 million USD. This time, it was over 220 million baht or 6 million USD.

Not only did this arrested British man pose as a guide and take foreign tourists around Phangan Island, but he also led tours throughout Thailand for 18 days, charging a budget price of 1,499 pounds per person.

The number of Russians entering the country increased significantly after the Russian-Ukrainian war. 59,717 Russians came to Phuket and registered an unusual number of 1,603 businesses, according to a Thai senior police officer.

A 55-year-old Thai woman was arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing bags of tourists visiting attractions in Bangkok, a senior police officer of the Royal Palace Station said on Saturday.

A total of 231 people, including 98 foreigners, have been arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) police in a crackdown on foreigners using Thai nominees to help establish and conduct business illegally in Phuket province.

Thai authorities launched a major operation targeting call center gangs. They arrested three Vietnamese nationals and four Myanmar nationals with hi-speed simboxes.

Working with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Thai authorities aided in dismantling an international cybercrime organisation on Friday.

One of two British men recently assaulted by security guards at a bar in this beach town filed a complaint with police, while his compatriot did not report the attack due to safety concerns.

A 38-yr-old male Korean tourist in #Pattaya was kicked twice in his mouth & lost 3 teeth aft a Thai exotic animals exhibitor said the man threw a 100 baht banknote at him in a degrading manner as he demanded him to pay for photos. The tourist, who was accompanied by his brother and girlfriend, filed a police complaint at Pattaya Police station at 2.06am Thursday. The attacker said he regrets his action. Police will also examine whether he has illegal wildlife in his possession.

The government will send a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aircraft to transport high-profile fugitive Chaowalit

Police have arrested a Nigerian man on the tourist island of Koh Phangan for overstaying his visa by nine months.

Soldiers have seized 6 million methamphetamine pills left by smugglers following a brief gunfight in Chiang Dao district of this northern province.

A 27-year-old man has admitted to murdering a 54-year-old businessman in Nonthaburi following the suspect

man accused of raping his stepdaughter since she was six years old has been arrested in Bangkok. The crimes only came to light after the victim, now 12, told a hospital doctor as her mother did not believe her.

A married couple operating a private loan agency surrendered to Sri Maha Phot police in Sri Maha Phot district at 1.30am on Monday to answer charges of posting naked pictures of debt defaulters online.

At 12:00 p.m. on June 3, Pattaya City Police Station was informed that a foreigner had died at a condominium along Thepprasit Road, Village No. 12, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

The police are planning to charge Prachatai reporter Nutthaphol Meksobhon and independent photojournalist Natthaphon Phanphongsanon as principals in the case of damaging a historic site and vandalizing a public wall, instead of as accomplices, for covering an incident in March 2023 where an activist sprayed protest graffiti onto the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Indonesian police are seeking cooperation from their Thai counterparts in hunting down a major Indonesian drug trafficker, who is currently believed to be in Thailand, possibly near the Myanmar border, according to Indonesian media.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Watcharin Poosit, Commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), ordered officers on June 4 to arrest Mr. Ho The Luc, 34, a Vietnamese national, and Ms. Sawitree, 42, along with evidence including a one-month-old tiger cub, a plastic basket, and two mobile phones in the Wisit sub-district, Mueang district, Bueng Kan province.

The technology crime suppression panel also makes several arrests in its second phase of operations in May

An Iranian businessman, who fled Chonburi to Bangkok, was arrested for defrauding a compatriot, causing 21 million baht in damages.

A 57-year-old German man fell from a five-star hotel in Pattaya and died on Wednesday evening. Bernhaard (family name witheld) stayed at room 3303 on the 33th floor of the hotel. He landed on a shopping mall next to the hotel. He landed on a shopping mall lawn next to the hotel, causing shock. Police found no sign of struggle in the room, and this is the fourth such case in Chonburi province in June.

A teenage male suspect was in police custody on Wednesday, after allegedly trying to kill himself to evade arrest, as police released more details of the gruesome murder of a young woman about to enter university.

A 53-year-old woman with hearing impairment has been arrested in a follow-up of a sting operation to crack down on narcotic gangs in Bangkok’s Bang Kapi area, the Metropolitan Police Bureau said on Thursday.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), in cooperation with the Immigration Police, Tourist Police and other authorities in Phuket, raided three businesses allegedly run by foreigners. These companies are suspected of running illegal activities under the guise of legal businesses.

A migrant worker from Myanmar was shot dead by a lone gunman as he was being treated at a hospital in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Khon Kaen on Thursday night.

Former MP and current adviser to the Democrat Party leader, Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, has been summoned by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for alleged ethical misconduct, according to a summons from the NACC that he posted on his social media page. The accusation pertains to his participation in pro-democracy protests on September 19 and 20, 2020, during which he made the three-finger salute for democracy. The NACC stated that there is sufficient evidence to believe that he showed support for a movement aiming to topple the constitutional monarchy system. Mongkolkit has been summoned to acknowledge the accusation on June 18.

Police have arrested a Thai man for deceiving foreigners by offering to produce Thai passports for them. He used his father’s bank account to receive the nearly 2 million baht he fraudulently obtained from one foreigner.

Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district police are investigating a claim that a female Chinese national went missing from her hotel in Bangkok on June 5 and might have been kidnapped for a Bt25 million ransom.

A "beggar" was arrested on Saturday night by Khon Kaen police hrs after he stabbed a merit maker at Khon Kaen City Pillar Shrine in the chest at around 10.30am Saturday. The suspect told police she didn't like the way the 33-year-old man looked at him. The attacker was recently released from prison and was begging for money and food at the shrine. The victim is in critical condition as the knife penetrates his lung.

South Korean prosecutors have indicted one of three suspects in the murder of a fellow Korean found dead in a concrete-filled barrel in a reservoir near Pattaya.

Police arrested eight people suspected of being loan sharks living under the same roof in Bangkok

After receiving information about an illegal cross-border online gambling website being operated from the premises, authorities took action on June 11. The Transnational Crime Suppression Center and the Immigration Police of Chonburi Province, carried with a search warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court, inspected a house in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

A young man has been arrested after his 21-year-old dating app lover was found strangled to death shortly after learning he already had a wife.

The superintendent of Kantharalak police in Si Sa Ket yesterday denied media reports that he was behind an order to procure durians for senior police who are due to inspect the station next week.

A 27-year-old Chinese woman who was believed to have been kidnapped for a 25-million-baht ransom was found at a shopping mall in Bang Na district on Saturday evening.

Another one of Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised's family members has been arrested. This time, it was his cousin, who was found with crystal meth and a gun, along with another male and two females, in a hotel room in Bangkok's Huai Khwang District. Click to show more

The two members of the House of Representatives are suspected of influencing voters by hosting a dinner party

The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld nine-month jail sentences for three former Bhumjaithai Party MPs who allowed other lawmakers to use their voting cards during a debate on a fiscal budget bill in 2020. Click to show more

Army spokesman Col Ritcha Suksuwanond said Mon man who brag about his position & threatens to use his connection to transfer all police at a police station because he's not happy that he was taken to a police station for a minor car crash was indeed a lieutenant general. Click to show more

Defence Minister Suthin Klangsaeng said on Tuesday that the army general in question would be punished if he's guilty and even if he is retired, the ministry will strip him from his rank. Click to show more

The three impounded vessels carrying around 330,000 tonnes of illegally smuggled oil worth 10 million baht have escaped to a neighboring country, said Pol Maj Gen Phruttiphong Nuchanart, chief of the Marine Police Division. Click to show more

Personal details of about 20K senatorial candidates, including their ID numbers submitted to the EC have been leaked. It's unclear how it happened as of press time Thursday. The leak was alerted by PDPC Eagle Eye, the agency that protects private info. Click to show more

The Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) urged people to stop sharing the names and national ID numbers of around 20,000 senatorial candidates that were leaked from the Election Commission (EC). Click to show more

A commander of the 22nd Logistics and Service Battalion has been transferred to an inactive post pending an investigation into excessive expenses charged to conscripted soldiers. Click to show more

A couple has been arrested for opening proxy bank accounts to receive money from a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment gang.

A man who masqueraded as a taxi motorcyclist and preyed on drunk women nightly has been arrested on charges of raping a Chinese woman he picked up from a Bangkok nightspot, police say.

An elderly and wealthy woman in Kanchanaburi province, who had been a supplier management specialist at a prestigious college in the United States, was scammed and lost 200 million baht (5.4 million USD).

An army colonel has been transferred and placed under an investigation after he allegedly charged each new conscript, attached to the medical battalion of the Second Army Region, 500 baht per month for septic tank emptying.

Defence Minister Suthin Klangsaeng said on Thursday some defence units were not aware that they were not supposed to collect 500 baht fees from new soldiers for faeces vacuum services. Click to show more

The Bank of Thailand is stepping up a crackdown on so-called mule accounts used in online financial fraud after bank customers lost more than 60 billion baht to such scams in the past two years.

Over the past few days, Thais wonder why same-old “call centre” tricks managed to fool an elderly man familiar with the banking industry and two sisters who are just over 30s and looked sophisticated enough to not fall prey to easy scams.

Consumer protection police have seized 18 million baht worth of counterfeit powdered milk products smuggled from Vietnam and arrested six migrant employees during a raid on a warehouse in Samut Prakan.

Police will seek arrest warrants for 16 crew members believed to be on board three seized oil-smuggling boats that disappeared from a marine police pier in Sattahip on Tuesday night.

A woman has been arrested and charged for procuring teens into prostitution following a raid on a karaoke bar in Bangkok

Five police officers have been transferred to inactive posts in connection with the disappearance of three boats with 330,000 litres of smuggled oil and 18 crewmen from a marine police pier in Chon Buri.

Cyber police said on Friday they have arrested a 30-year-old woman for selling people's private information, including bank account number and ID number of one million people, on Facebook. Click to show more

Public Health Ministry spokesperson Trichada Sritada said on Tues a new ministry regulation making possession of more than one methamphetamine pill (or no more than 100 milligrammes) a crime is now in effect after it was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday. Click to show more

Two Ugandan women were arrested yesterday evening in Pattaya for allegedly stealing money from a Canadian tourist during a massage session when the tourist fell asleep.

A Canadian man received a relaxing massage from two Ugandan women in Pattaya until he fell asleep, but when he woke up, his money had gone with them.

A 74-year-old Thai farmer has lost 3.2 million baht, his entire life’s savings, to a call center scam. The victim, Mr. Thongchai Boonko, filed a complaint at the Nongprue Police Station in Chonburi province on Thursday, June 20th.

The latest scandal involving salary deductions for conscripts in the Thai army is a distressing reminder of the persistent abuse and exploitation within our military ranks. What is more worrying is the response from the Ministry of Defence, which only addresses the problem superficially.

A public hospital director accused of adultery with a nurse has insisted he was not aware she was still living with her husband, but admitted to engaging in rough sex with the woman, saying she encouraged it.

he Ministry of Tourism and Sports has tried hard to deal with the “Price-dumping Tours” problem, which copies the zero-dollar tour model that Chinese companies use with Thai nominees.

Tourist police on Koh Phangan have arrested a French tourist who claimed to be a cult leader and invited other foreign tourists to join his rituals. The man had overstayed his legal limit.

Tourist Police in Phuket launched an operation to suppress crimes affecting the tourism industry. They received information from an informant about a foreigner teaching motorcycle riding in a large parking area near the old floating market in Kathu Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket Province.

Over 200,000 Thais are targeted by scammers each day, in an annual tsunami of fraud featuring 20.8 million calls and 58.3 million text messages (SMS), according to caller-identification app Whoscall.

Police arrested 2 men on Friday after they found 1.5 million methamphetamine pills inside two avocado boxes in Chiang Rai province's Mae Chan district. The two said they were hired to transport the boxes to Pathum Thani province, just north of Bangkok. Click to show more

School executives in Songkhla's Hat Yai district are facing corruption and forgery charges involving school lunch projects, scholarship funds, and the procurement of educational supplies.

Graft-busters accuse seven customs officials of helping supercar importers evade duty totalling 897 million baht by accepting unrealistically low car valuations.

Three police officers in Kalasin will be detained for the next 30 days for negligence after an individual who came in to file a report of harassment found them absent from their posts.

Swiss hairdresser arrested for operating Oliver Twist salon on Koh Phangan for 9 years with recently expired visa.

Tourist Police at Suvarnabhumi Airport arrested two women for drugging and robbing a German tourist. A search of their room revealed numerous drugs including Alprazolam, which is known as a date rape drug.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission needs more time to study a complaint of alleged malfeasance filed by former deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the NACC Office secretary-general said on Wednesday.

Suthep Thaugsuban, former leader of the now defunct Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship movement arrived at the Appeal Court on Thursday to hear the ruling on treason charge against him related to the street protests in the months before the May 2014 coup. Click to show more

37 former co-leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Suthep Thaugsuban, have appeared at the Appeals Court for the verdict on their treason case. Click to show more

The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for former Deputy Minister of Commerce Banyin Tangpakorn for the premeditated murder of building contractor Chuwong Sae Tang. Click to show more

The police have arrested drug dealers in 81,455 cases, mostly related to yaba or meth pills, between October 2023 and now, representing an increase of 23,949 cases, or 41% year-on-year, according to Deputy National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet. Click to show more

n the eastern Thai seaside province of Trat, a new dispute has arisen over a public beach area involving a conflict between a Thai and a foreigner. However this case ended well, with the foreigner agreeing to apologize to the Thai man.

The lifeless body of a deputy director of a municipal school in the northern province of Lamphun, who was reported missing on June 16th, was found in his Toyota Vios sedan, parked under the ring road in Muang district of Chiang Mai on Friday night. He appears to have committed suicide.

A Russian man has been arrested and illegal drugs seized from his room in Hua Hin town of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

A 62-year-old Swedish man was found dead with his head in a bucket of water and bruising on his body at a condominium room in Pattaya beach city in the early hours of Wednesday.

A woman in Chon Buri who works in PR says she was forced to offer sex services to pay off an underground loan at the hands of a gang led by a kathoey who beat her up when she fled captivity.