Et Tu Big Joke?

Anything and everything about Thailand
User avatar
Jun
Posts: 1802
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2023 8:43 pm
Has thanked: 321 times
Been thanked: 200 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Jun »

Gaybutton wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 3:34 pm
Jun wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 2:02 pm The only way that works and funds all the houses would be if he's on the take like the rest of them.
That's interesting. You're saying a man on the take is also on the give . . .
Call it investing, with the intention of earning a return.
Why else would he spend the money ?
How would he even have the money in the first place if getting by only on a police salary ?
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

Jun wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 4:30 pm How would he even have the money in the first place if getting by only on a police salary ?
Apparently he doesn't have to get by only on his salary. Seems he has legitimate access to all the money he wants.

"Pol Gen Surachate said the money he spends comes from his wife, the daughter of Bancha Panitchapong, a billionaire transport and property tycoon in Songkhla, his home province."
gerefan
Posts: 767
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:33 am
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 98 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by gerefan »

A base salary of 78,000 per month?? That’s 2600 baht a day, Presumably after tax. It is not even doing 2 “offs” a day!!

78000 baht a month is the equivalent of £21272.

I know Thai salaries are lower than ours but some peoples pensions are more than that!
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

gerefan wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:51 pm I know Thai salaries are lower than ours but some peoples pensions are more than that!
Think about the salaries the lower ranks get. I can understand why they would want to supplement their paltry salaries by being on the take. But then again, nobody forced them to become police officers, but it must be terribly difficult for them to resist temptation, even if they want to be honest cops. So, even when I'm stopped for some frivolous reason, which happens maybe once or twice in a year, and have to fork over 400 or 500 baht to be on my way, I don't really mind very much.
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

Seems to me somebody is out to get Big Joke or at least destroy his reputation and scandalize him. But who? And why?
Maybe it really is a set of unacceptable violations, but I see it as trying to turn molehills into mountains. If Big Joke thought he was violating anything, legal or ethical, number one I don't think he would be doing it and number two I don't think he would be dumb enough to make a point of publicly saying so.

Still, the old saying is "The fish wouldn't have been caught if it hadn't opened its mouth."

Big Joke might have been better off with simply the announcement that nothing illegal had been found at his residence and just leaving it at that without further comment. If he had handled it that way, the incident already probably would have been forgotten. I believe his mistake was making a major brouhaha out of it and causing to matter to escalate.
__________________________________________

Watchdogs to probe deputy police chief 'Big Joke'

September 29, 2023

Seven media ethics regulators are launching a joint probe into the suspected largesse deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, also known as Big Joke, offered to four reporters.

The seven organisations issued a joint statement on Thursday, calling the offer of money to a news source and its receipt by a reporter unacceptable.

They are the National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the Society for Online News Providers Association, the National Union of Journalists and the Confederation of Thai Journalists.

In the joint statement, they said the largesse amounts to a flagrant violation of the professional code of ethics.

The organisations said they will form a fact-finding panel to look into ethical issues stemming from Pol Gen Surachate's offer.

The panel will comprise seven members -- two each from the National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand and the Professionals of Broadcasting Council of Thailand, as well as an outside expert.

They also called on employers to probe reporters at the centre of the scandal and report the results to the public.

News agencies should stop buying news from freelance reporters who violate media ethics, according to the ethics regulators.

They said reporters who pocket ill-gotten gains from illegal businesses will be prosecuted.

Earlier, the deputy police chief admitted to paying four reporters for coverage.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... f-big-joke
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

They're after him again.
_____________________________________________

Big Joke confirmed suspect in 'Minnie' gambling case

by Wassayos Ngamkham

February 21, 2024

Deputy national police chief Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn is a suspect in an online gambling case and could face multiple charges including money laundering, a deputy chief of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) confirmed on Wednesday.

Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew said that Pol Gen Surachate was one of five police officers additionally suspected of involvement in the online gambling network allegedly operated by 25-year-old single mother Suchanun Sucharitchinsri, also known as Minnie.

The five suspects were identified in a second case, after an expanded investigation into the first case involving Minnie-related gambling websites.

According to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat, there are 61 suspects in the first case, which is the main case, and they include police officers.

The second case was sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission because it involved high-level police officers. The NACC will later decide if it will handle the second case, or let the police do it.

Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat said the police would like to handle both cases because they were related.

The five officers in the second case would be initially charged with malfeasance and taking bribes, under Sections 157 and 149 of the Criminal Code. If the NACC returns the second case to the police, the five will also face money laundering charges, Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat said.

He denied the legal action arose from politics within the Royal Thai Police. It was the result of a continued investigation which "shockingly" revealed the involvement of police officers, with more than 300 million baht in cash also involved, he said.

"When more than 300 million baht was seen in transactions, this could not be let slide. Otherwise, it would be a cancer that would ruin the reputation of the police force," Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat said.

He said that investigators had enough evidence to pursue the case, including financial statements which showed who withdrew the money and the groups of people who received money from mole accounts.

"When the money trails were examined, we found that money was distributed to almost everyone involved in the cases... I believe that money might come from not only the Minnie gambling website network but also other websites. This is under investigation," Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat said.

Pol Gen Surachate was one of the candidates for possible promotion to national police chief last year. Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol got the job. At the time, Pol Gen Surachate said he still had eight years before retirement and he was in no rush.

Pol Gen Surachate became a household name after being assigned several high-profile cases and regularly holding press briefings on arrests. He recently opened a centre at the Police Club on Vihavadi Rangsit Road to receive complaints from the general public.

As part of an overall investigation into gambling sites, police in September last year raided Pol Gen Surachate's house in an operation code-named "Big Cleaning Day".

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... bling-case
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

Thai Police Civil Service Commission Unanimously Validates Temporary Suspension of Police General Surachate Hakparn

By Kittisak Phalaharn

June 27, 2024

At 3:00 PM, on June 26th, 2024, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presided over a meeting of the Police Civil Service Commission (PCSC). The primary agenda was to evaluate the findings of the Police Civil Service Subcommittee on Disciplinary Actions concerning the legality of the temporary suspension of Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn.

The meeting’s decision was highly anticipated as it was to determine if the suspension, initially signed by then-acting Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, is legally valid. If the PCSC endorsed the subcommittee’s recommendation, the suspension would be upheld, allowing Pol. Gen. Surachate to pursue an appeal in the Administrative Court. Conversely, if the PCSC disagrees, the suspension order would be overturned, and Pol. Gen. Surachate will be reinstated retroactively to April 18th, 2024.

It was reported that before the meeting began, Srettha reportedly held a 20-minute private discussion with Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol and other senior officers, according to Thai national media.

During the meeting, Srettha emphasized the importance of addressing key issues within the legal framework of the Royal Thai Police Act, underscoring the necessity for all parties to adhere to legal principles to ensure justice for all involved.

Srettha urged the meeting to uphold the integrity of the police organization by exercising discretion in accordance with the rule of law as mandated by the Constitution and the Royal Thai Police Act of 2022.

The deliberations must be made with honesty, caution, and a commitment to restoring justice for the benefit of the country and the public in line with the relevant laws and regulations, Srettha stated.

This development follows recent remarks by Mr. Wissanu Krea-ngam, the Advisor to the Prime Minister, who addressed the media on June 25th about Pol. Gen. Surachate’s potential legal action against Srettha under Section 157 if he is not fully reinstated.

After nearly three hours of deliberation, Thai national media reported that the PCSC unanimously voted 12-0 in favor of validating the temporary suspension of Pol. Gen. Surachate by Pol. Gen. Kittirat.

Meanwhile, Pol. Gen. Surachate continues to seek justice from the PCSC, which must complete another resolution before presenting it to His Royal Majesty the King for approval.

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/06/27/t ... e-hakparn/
Dodger
Posts: 2609
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:58 am
Has thanked: 334 times
Been thanked: 649 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Dodger »

It looks like the PM isn't too keen about being bullied by Big Joke.

Big Joke can still be seen smiling for the cameras on Thai news media daily which he's been doing for years. He loves the cameras. I wonder if he'll still be smiling if the suspension becomes permanent? I know the PM will be.
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

Dodger wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2024 8:01 am It looks like the PM isn't too keen about being bullied by Big Joke.
If that's really what's going on. Big Joke is either innocent and is being railroaded or he's guilty of being involved in a money laundering scheme. It must be one or the other. I hope the investigation is fair and unbiased, but we'll probably never know.

I always liked Big Joke and what I thought he stood for, but that went down by a lot of notches when he started saying the immigration rules for expats are too lax and the visa fees are too low. That had nothing to do with his position as a high ranking police official. At least, if nothing else, all that went out the window when this brouhaha began. Good. Expats already have enough to worry about without having to deal with major immigration policy changes.
User avatar
Gaybutton
Posts: 23444
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Thailand
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1550 times

Re: Et Tu Big Joke?

Post by Gaybutton »

‘Big Joke’ to sue PM over dismissal

Sidelined officer says Police Commission chaired by Srettha did not handle his case fairly

June 27, 2024

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn says the Police Merit Systems Protection Board is still reviewing his complaint against the dismissal order against him.

Deputy police chief Surachate Hakparn says he is preparing to sue Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the 11 other members of the Police Commission for confirming his dismissal.

Pol Gen Surachate, aka “Big Joke”, said on Thursday that the commission chaired by the prime minister did not consider his case fairly.

He was referring to the commission’s unanimous decision on Wednesday to support the dismissal order against him in April.

Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet, in his capacity as acting police chief, signed the dismissal order pending the outcome of investigations into the alleged involvement of Pol Gen Surachate in money-laundering in relation to the BNK Master gambling network.

Pol Gen Surachate said on Thursday that he doubted the legality of the order and asked why Prime Minister Srettha had not proposed it to His Majesty the King for approval.

The Police Merit Systems Protection Board is still reviewing Pol Gen Surachate’s complaint against the dismissal. If the board does not rule in his favour, he said, he would file a complaint with the Administrative Court.

Pol Gen Surachate continues to maintain that he was being persecuted because he is the front-runner to succeed national police chief Torsak Sukvimol, who will retire on Sept 30. The allegations of criminal activity are part of the campaign against him, he says.

A long-simmering conflict between factions loyal to Pol Gen Surachate and Pol Gen Torsak intensified last year after the latter was chosen as chief despite having less seniority than any other candidate.

The feud became such a distraction for the force that Mr Srettha in March moved both police generals to inactive posts pending the outcome of an investigation.

The investigation report last week concluded that there had been factional conflict on the force for a long time, but that investigations into alleged wrongdoing were for other bodies to decide. It recommended the reinstatement of Pol Gen Torsak and also said Pol Gen Surachate had been “unfairly dismissed from duty pending investigation”.

Prime Minister Srettha said on Thursday that the Police Commission had made its decision in accordance with the law, adding that he expected the Police Merit Systems Protection Board to rule on Pol Gen Surachate’s case in 30 days.

For that reason, he said, he had decided not to forward the dismissal order for royal approval.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -dismissal
Post Reply