"Trirong," Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, clarified that although the Administrative Court ruling on 9 Jan may be favorable, it does not allow "Big Joke" to return to the police force. He pointed out that the result of the police dismissal order must still be awaited to determine his status.
On 8 January 2026 at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Piwan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, addressed the case in which the Supreme Administrative Court is scheduled to deliver its judgment tomorrow (9 Jan) on case number F.117/2567. The case involves Police General Surachate filing a lawsuit against the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, the Police Integrity Protection Committee, and the Prime Minister as defendants 1-3, respectively. The suit challenges the order that temporarily suspended him from service as being unlawful.
The Deputy Spokesperson emphasized that the Royal Thai Police is not rushing to compete with the court’s timing in deciding the former Deputy Commissioner-General’s case. This gold bribery case did not originate from police investigation but started with a complaint filed by Police Colonel Pakpoom. Additionally, social media rumors suggesting the former Deputy Commissioner-General would return to the police force have caused public confusion.
He clarified that in Police General Surachate’s case, the police initially issued a suspension order. Surachate then appealed this order, numbered 178/2567, to the Police Integrity Protection Committee, arguing that the suspension was unlawful. However, the committee dismissed the appeal, reasoning that the Commissioner-General’s order was a proper and lawful exercise of discretion. Subsequently, Surachate filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Administrative Court, which will issue its judgment tomorrow.
Later, the police issued a dismissal order against Police General Surachate, which is now effective. Surachate filed a lawsuit challenging this dismissal order before the Supreme Administrative Court, and the case is currently under consideration.
Police Lieutenant General Trirong reiterated that regardless of whether tomorrow’s court ruling is favorable or unfavorable, Police General Surachate will not return to police service immediately. His reinstatement depends on the outcome of the dismissal order review.