A nine-member independent inquiry panel has resolved to "press charges" concerning misconduct in office related to the gold bribery case involving "Eakwit P.P.C.C.-Big Joke" and associates, totaling four individuals. The panel stressed this is not a verdict of guilt.
On 22 Jun 2026 GMT+7, reporters stated that on 19 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Chawalit Isradej, Deputy President of the Supreme Court and chairman of the independent inquiry panel, chaired a meeting of all nine independent investigators regarding allegations that Mr. Eakwit Watchawalakun, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (P.P.C.C.), accepted 246 baht worth of gold as a bribe from Police General Surachet Hakpal, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, who is under investigation by P.P.C.C. for benefiting from online gambling websites.
The inquiry panel decided to press charges related to misconduct in office regarding the gold bribery against four individuals involved in the case: Mr. Eakwit Watchawalakun, P.P.C.C. member and former chief judge of the Supreme Court panel; Police General Surachet Hakpal, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, known as Big Joke; Mr. Sombat Thortham, P.P.C.C. subcommittee member; and Mr. Surasit Phonruean, a personal aide and driver for Mr. Eakwit.
Currently, the process involves notifying these four individuals of the charges; this is not a final judgment of guilt as some reports have suggested. According to the law, without formally notifying the accused and allowing them to respond, a determination of guilt cannot be made. To ensure fairness under the law, once charges are notified, the accused must explain their position to the independent inquiry panel, which is currently in the process of summoning them. The panel is scheduled to meet again in mid-July 2026 GMT+7.