Deputy Tao revealed that “Big Joke” denies the allegations after police raided 11 network locations searching for evidence in the NACC bribery case related to assistance in a 2024 case. The evidence included about 120 baht of gold bars and many other documents requiring further examination.
Regarding the case where the police investigation team mobilized forces to raid 11 locations in search of evidence linked to the network of Police General Surachate Hakparn, or Big Joke, former Deputy Commissioner of Police, accused of bribing the NACC commissioners with 246 baht of gold bars to seek help in a 2024 case, leading Big Joke to meet with investigators from the Anti-Corruption Police Division to acknowledge the charges yesterday, as previously reported.
The latest development on 27 December 2025 GMT+7: Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division and Deputy Head of the investigation team set up by the police, disclosed that yesterday the working team mobilized to search for assets and important document evidence at 11 locations connected to the bribery case involving NACC commissioners. The search led to the seizure of approximately 120 baht of gold bars from the home of Mr. Sombat Thontham, as well as numerous documents from several sites, all of which will undergo further examination.
The Deputy Commander added that Police General Surachate Hakparn, or Big Joke, former Deputy Commissioner of Police, formally acknowledged the charges last night. The charges include conspiracy to give, offer, or promise property or other benefits to officials in judicial, prosecutorial, or investigative positions to induce them to act or refrain from acting improperly (punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment or a fine up to 140,000 baht) under Criminal Code section 167 and the Anti-Corruption Act B.E. 2561 (2018) section 176—conspiracy to give property or benefits to state officials to intentionally influence their duties improperly (punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine up to 100,000 baht). He denied all charges, completed fingerprinting, and left around midnight. Additionally, Mr. Sombat Thontham, another accused, also acknowledged the charges yesterday.
Police Major General Prasong Chalermpan, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Police Division, stated that regarding yesterday’s raids, investigators are currently compiling detailed records of the evidence seized by the police working team appointed by the police. According to reports, a large number of documents and about 120 baht of gold bars were found and handed over.
The Anti-Corruption Police Commander added that after Police General Surachate was charged and interrogated yesterday, investigators allowed him to leave. He intends to submit a written statement later. Similarly, Mr. Sombat, who acknowledged the charges at around 11 p.m. yesterday and denied them during questioning, was released at 3 a.m. He also plans to submit his statement later.