"Big Joke" met with investigators from the Anti-Corruption Police Division after authorities conducted surprise raids at 11 residences linked to him following a complaint under Section 157 regarding the transport of 246 baht of gold bars as a bribe to officials in the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He initially denies all allegations.
At 15:30 on 26 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reporters reported that Police General Kittirat Phanphet, National Police Chief, ordered a task force from the Royal Thai Police to search residences, office buildings, and related properties connected to Police General Surachate Hakparn, known as "Big Joke," former Deputy National Police Chief, totaling 11 locations in Bangkok and Surat Thani. This followed a complaint accusing him of misconduct or neglect of duty causing harm to others or corruptly neglecting duties under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and related offenses.
Reports indicate the search team seized numerous items believed to be connected to the offenses. The searches stemmed from a complaint filed at 20:00 on 23 Dec 2025 GMT+7 at Division 5, Anti-Corruption Police Bureau, to prosecute Police General Surachate for misconduct or neglect of duty causing harm or corrupt neglect under Section 157 and other charges.
The incident occurred on the second floor of a building in Chan Kasem subdistrict, Chatuchak district, Bangkok, and in the parking lot of the Southern Thai Association on Kanchanaphisek Road, Sala Thammasop subdistrict, Thawi Watthana district, Bangkok, on 31 Aug 2024 GMT+7 and continued into 1 Sep 2024 GMT+7 during daytime. Six individuals are accused.
Investigators from the Royal Thai Police reported that on 31 Aug 2024 GMT+7, Police General Surachate instructed a Police Colonel to meet at the second-floor office. Upon arrival, Mr. Som was already present. Surachate ordered the Colonel to deliver gold bars to an official in the National Anti-Corruption Commission on the following day (1 Sep 2024 GMT+7) to influence the case under NACC investigation, stating prior agreement with the NACC official had been made and that the delivery location would be disclosed later. He also instructed recording a video of the gold delivery.
Surachate then ordered Mr. Som to bring the prepared gold bars to the Police Colonel. Upon receiving the gold, the Colonel returned to his residence, opened two cardboard boxes containing gold bars weighing a total of 246 baht, and recorded a video as evidence.
On 1 Sep 2024 GMT+7, Surachate instructed the delivery of the gold bars to the NACC official at the Southern Thai Association on Kanchanaphisek Road. The Police Colonel and associates waited near the association.
Surachate then called the Police Colonel, informing him that the NACC official was seated inside a black Toyota Alphard parked at the association's parking lot and advised delivering the gold bars immediately.
The Police Colonel and associates drove to the location, found the van parked alone in the lot, exited with the bag containing the gold bars, approached the van, saw the NACC official seated in the rear driver's side seat, and handed the bag to Mr. S. to give to the NACC official as ordered. The van then promptly left the area.
At 20:30, Police General Surachate Hakparn, or "Big Joke," arrived at Pitak Santi Building and proceeded to the 16th floor, the office of the Anti-Corruption Police Division. Investigators summoned him to a meeting room. Initially, he declined to give a statement until Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Police Bureau, arrived and identified himself as deputy head of the investigation team appointed by the Royal Thai Police, after which Surachate agreed to cooperate.
Afterwards, Police Major General Jaroonkiat told reporters that he informed Surachate of the charges and that upon meeting investigators, formal charges would be presented based on evidence found. Surachate stated he would provide facts and deny all allegations. Investigators will proceed according to legal procedures.