Big Joke withdraws PM Srettha acting illegally complaint

The former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, accused Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance and interfering in the RTP before withdrawing the complaint a day later.

Big Joke and the RTP Commander Torsak “Big Tor” Sukvimol were transferred to work at the Office of The Prime Minister in March over some alleged internal conflict and involvement in an online gambling operation.

The transfer was intended to ensure transparency in the investigation. However, the two were soon reassigned to their former positions.

Unexpectedly, PM Srettha approved Big Joke’s dismissal from the RTP on April 18, prompting the former police chief to come forward to respond to the PM’s decision.

Big Joke, on Monday, April 22, visited the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to request an investigation on PM Srettha. He accused the prime minister of interfering in the appointment of the RTP commander and dismissing him without a thorough investigation.

“This dismissal is an attempt to prevent me from becoming the RTP commander. Everything would be fine if I were just the sixth candidate but I am not. I am number 1.”

BBC reported Big Joke as the top candidate for the new RTP commander position in September due to his seniority.

Change of mind

Big Joke claimed that he underwent an unjust investigation for six months and was unfairly dismissed from the RTP. He stood up for his rights and remained confident about reclaiming his former position.

In addition to lodging a complaint against the PM, Big Joke accused the police team investigating his case of unlawful conduct, insisting that all cases involving government officials should be investigated by the NACC.

However, Big Joke unexpectedly retracted his complaint against PM Srettha on April 23, merely one day after lodging it.

The secretary of the NACC, Niwatchai Kasemmongkhon, revealed to Channel 7 that Big Joke sent a representative to withdraw the complaint against the PM stating he no longer suspected the PM. However, he still wanted a further investigation into the police team who are working on his case.

According to Niwatchai, the NACC would continue to investigate the PM because the former RTP commander and the Thai Liberal Party (TLP) leader, Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, previously filed a similar complaint against the PM.