4.8 million baht seized from Big Joke over alleged gambling links

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) confiscated 4.8 million baht in life insurance cash surrender value from the former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, and his wife as the couple was suspected of using proceeds from online gambling to pay for a life insurance policy.

Big Joke and four other police officers in his team were removed from their positions by the Acting Commissioner of the RTP, Kittirat Phanphet, due to their alleged involvement in online gambling. Big Joke would not accept the removal and sued the acting commissioner for wrongful use of power.

Big Joke filed a complaint with the Police Ethics Protection Committee (PEPC), asking them to consider the legality of his removal. The PEPC ruled that the order was lawful and Big Joke must leave his position.

However, the 53 year old still has the right to oppose the committee’s verdict by submitting a complaint to the Administrative Court of Thailand within 90 days. He has not yet confirmed whether he will do so.

Today, August 7, the AMLO provided an update on the gambling ring that Big Joke and his subordinates allegedly were involved in. The AMLO revealed that assets totalling 109 million baht, suspected to be obtained from gambling proceeds, were seized from the gang.

AMLO had a meeting yesterday regarding the assets of each suspect and found that Big Joke and his wife, Sirinadda Hakparn, allegedly bought life insurance with money earned from illegal gambling.

The couple recently cancelled the insurance, prompting the insurance company to pay them the cash surrender value of 4.8 million baht.

As the insurance was suspected to be bought with gambling proceeds, AMLO announced the temporary confiscation of the amount according to Section 48 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The amount may be returned if Big Joke is proven to be innocent.

Since the PEPC announced the verdict on Big Joke’s case yesterday, he has not yet spoken to the media.