Big Joke appeared in a live broadcast to speak for the first time after being charged in the gold bribery case. He confirmed he has not fled and mostly stays in Bangkok, living at the same house that was searched. He leads a normal life, practices tennis daily, and never stops self-improvement. He expressed sadness that nothing has changed in Thailand; scammers still exist as before.
After the NACC forwarded the investigation file regarding "Big Joke," former Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, accused of giving a 10-million-baht gold bar bribe to an NACC commissioner to influence a gambling website case, the file was returned to investigators for further action. The NACC commissioners named as suspects proposed to the Senate president that if the case is credible, it be sent to the Supreme Court to appoint an independent inquiry panel. Meanwhile, “Deputy Joke” also faces another case after two former subordinates, a police lieutenant colonel and a police colonel, filed assault complaints alleging he slapped an ear causing damage and verbally abused them to the point of requiring psychiatric treatment. Pol. Gen. Surachate had to send lawyers to file a counter-complaint for false accusations, as previously reported.
Meanwhile, yesterday (30 January 2026) at the Crime Suppression Division, Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, confirmed to reporters that all procedures have been conducted according to legal regulations, and letters have been sent to the Attorney General, the Senate President, and the NACC.
Additionally, Police Major General Jaroonkiat commented on Pol. Gen. Surachate, saying he does not know where he has gone. Regarding escape concerns, he said that is not an issue because of an international arrest warrant; authorities can track and prosecute if he absconds. He expressed support for "Joke," urging him to engage in merit-making and temple visits. "We are all police officers enforcing the law equally, not harassing anyone. At least we are brothers who came from the same police academy. Actions have consequences, and karma is real, so everything follows karmic law."
The latest development on 31 January 2026 reported by correspondents is that the Facebook page “Surachate Hakparn” of Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief, had its admin team conduct a live broadcast interviewing Big Joke at a tennis court of a hotel in the Lak Si district, after no public activity since being charged in the gold bribery case.
At one point, Pol. Gen. Surachate said, "Thank you for all the support given. I am still fighting the case. Today, some people have tried to create rumors that I fled abroad or already escaped. Actually, I would like to inform those people that I have not fled anywhere. Please stop creating rumors. I am living normally; many citizens have seen me and asked for photos. I spend my free time improving myself and never stop developing. I play tennis as usual and plan to compete in the Thailand tennis championship for 55-year-olds later this year."
"So, I want to clarify that I have not fled. I live normally, mostly in Bangkok, at the same house that was searched. I have not changed houses because I only have one. I occasionally go back to Songkhla."
Regarding the case fight, "Many people have asked why I do not speak as much as last year. I must say I spoke all last year on many programs. But I am saddened that nothing in Thailand has changed—scammers still exist, crime suppression and tackling illegal debt remain problematic, and people still suffer. Scammers are still around, and citizens are still deceived. I don't know why I should keep talking when it doesn't change anything. This is truly sad for Thailand."
"But today, regarding my case, my silence does not mean I will not fight. I am just weary of the fact that my case, which has been ongoing for two years concerning gold bribery, is handled improperly by law enforcers. If even I, a former government official, face this, ordinary citizens would be doomed."
"I want to tell my fellow citizens that when the legal process is properly followed, I will speak the facts. I have not stopped fighting; I continue normally and have assigned lawyers to speak on my behalf. But I have not fled and remain where I am. If there are legal matters, I am ready to face them. To those creating rumors about my escape, please stop. It serves no purpose."