Lawyer "Joke" went to the Senate to petition senators to request the Supreme Court to form an independent committee to investigate the authority of the PACC and NACC in the gold bribery case, claiming the process violates the law.
On 9 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Sanyaphat Samart, lawyer for Pol Gen Surachate Hakpar, submitted a letter to the President of the Senate requesting that the matter be forwarded to the Supreme Court to establish an independent committee under Section 236 of the Constitution to investigate the conduct of investigators from the PACC and NACC in the gold bar bribery case, alleging that the procedures so far have violated the law and the Constitution.
Mr. Sanyaphat stated that six individuals are accused in this case, one of whom is an NACC commissioner. Under the law, police investigators have no authority to investigate, and the NACC cannot oversee its own members. Therefore, the actions taken so far appear unlawful. According to the Act on the Procedure for Criminal Cases of Political Office Holders, the correct process is to submit through the Parliament President or via senators to have the Supreme Court appoint a neutral independent committee to investigate.
When asked about video evidence of the gold bribery, the lawyer emphasized that perception and legal matters differ. He denied that this petition is a stalling tactic or bargaining ploy but asserted it aims to ensure the justice process begins correctly, warning that otherwise the case might be invalidated later.
Mr. Sanyaphat confirmed that Pol Gen Surachate has not fled, remains in the country, and discusses the case with him daily. He avoids public appearances to prevent reciprocal confrontations that could be seen as influencing public opinion. However, if an investigation starts under an unauthorized agency, evidence may not be admissible in court. Therefore, submitting the matter to the Senate is the only way to ensure fairness as prescribed by law.