Anti-corruption prosecutors have postponed the verdict hearing for “Big Joke” and associates in the gold bribery case by one month. “Big Joke” left immediately, assigning his lawyer to give statements to the media.
On 13 Jul 2026 at the Anti-Corruption Office of the Office of the Attorney General on Ratchadaphisek Road, prosecutors scheduled a verdict hearing in the case where investigators from Division 1, Anti-Corruption Police Bureau submitted the investigation file along with recommendations to prosecute Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, former Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, for jointly giving property or other benefits to officials in judicial positions, prosecutors, to induce wrongful acts or omissions contrary to duty under Section 167, and misconduct under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, along with Sombat Thontam, Sorapong Wongsuwan, and Surasit Paekerd in the gold bribery case involving 246 baht of gold.
Today, Pol Gen Surachate arrived to report to the prosecutors at 10:50 AM, signed documents, and left immediately, delegating his lawyer to speak to the press.
Later, Sanyaphatchara Samart, Pol Gen Surachate’s personal lawyer, stated that the prosecutors postponed the verdict hearing to 18 Sep at 10:00 AM because the prosecutors are conducting additional inquiries and are awaiting documents regarding the independent inquiry committee’s findings to incorporate into the case file before issuing their decision.
Mr. Sanyaphatchara added that today’s postponement will not affect the case file held by the independent inquiry committee, as they are separate matters. He believes both parts are moving in the same direction. Today, all suspects, including Pol Gen Surachate, appeared as scheduled to report to the prosecutors.