"Deputy 'Big Turtle' is drafting letters to three agencies to discuss ways to submit the gold bribery case file. He advised 'Big Joke' to visit temples and make merit often, noting that at least they are brothers who crawled together from the Sampran Police Cadet School. He believes in karma and that everything follows the law of cause and effect." Tags: [Police investigation, Legal process, Bribery case, Karma, Sampran Police Academy]
At 14:00 on 30 Jan 2026 at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters, Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, spoke regarding Mr. Sanyaphatchara Samart, lawyer for 'Big Joke' or Police General Surachate Hakpal, former Deputy Commissioner of Police. After submitting a letter to the Prime Minister requesting review of the gold bribery case and urging the PM to refer it to the Council of State for legal interpretation to resolve confusion and set a precedent for the case, he stated: After the NACC returned the case file to investigators, an initial meeting with the Central Investigation Bureau’s investigative committee confirmed that all actions complied with legal regulations. He expressed confidence that their procedures are correct and legitimate, highlighting that 1) court warrants for 11 search locations were properly obtained after evidence review.
2) The NACC accepted the case file and referred it under Section 61, Paragraph 2, which confirms that NACC officials have considered and recognized the police’s authority to investigate this case under the Criminal Procedure Code.
Therefore, after receiving the case, the investigative committee held meetings and is currently drafting letters to the Attorney General to discuss legal matters, to the Senate President, and to the NACC to inquire about procedural steps. This is to prevent errors in submitting the case file and to clarify whether the case files can be separated or must be consolidated into a single case.
Police Major General Jaroonkiat added that whether the time taken would delay the case and negatively affect it needs further study, but he confirmed that it remains within the legal timeframe. The NACC committee matter will be handled by the Senate sending it to the Supreme Court President to appoint a seven-member panel to investigate. How this proceeds is a matter of authority and proper procedure to avoid investigative errors. Currently, the matter is paused with no additional investigations underway.
The Deputy Commander affirmed confidence in all actions but emphasized the need for clarity to avoid mistakes. He acknowledged this is a novel situation without precedent, so police procedures must be meticulous and cautious. Any errors could result in lawsuits. They aim to comply fully with the law. The police are not afraid of failure or legal wrongdoing as suggested by the lawyer and prefer the matter to be resolved in administrative courts.
"If we proceed, we accept all outcomes and must act according to police laws. Lawyers may raise concerns, but police must follow legal procedures strictly, without harassment or distortion. Everything is done thoroughly and carefully with no intent to delay," said the deputy commander.
"The Deputy Commander also reiterated that the police button every button from the first to the last, but all must be done carefully. How long the review will take depends on investigators, so he reserves comment but believes it will not be long."
Police Major General Jaroonkiat further stated he does not know where Police General Surachate has gone. Regarding any escape issues, that is related to an Interpol Red Notice; they can track and prosecute him. He wished 'Big Joke' well, advising him to visit temples and make merit often. They are all police officers enforcing the law equally without bullying. At least they are brothers who crawled together from the Sampran Police Cadet School. He believes in karma and that all actions follow the law of cause and effect. There is no harassment; this follows the Central Investigation Bureau’s policy—straightforward and transparent, fully verifiable.