"Big Joke" has endured a year-long ordeal after a former close associate exposed a 246-baht gold bribe paid to influence a case. This summary of six causes has shaken the police force, revealing that those close to him were pressured and decided to break ranks for the sake of justice.
A complaint was filed against Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, and five others, alleging a bribe paid in gold bars totaling 246 baht to influence a case under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. On 26 Dec 2025 GMT+7, investigators executed search warrants at the homes and offices of the accused to gather further evidence, leading Pol. Gen. Surachate to surrender to investigators at the Anti-Corruption Division for charges.
On 31 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Phakphum Pismay, a former close officer to Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn (Big Joke), gave an interview after submitting evidence to investigators to proceed against Big Joke. He provided the police with proof in a difficult decision motivated by seeing junior officers suffering hardships after being forced to take blame, causing their families distress. He noted attempts to distort facts via videos submitted to the police, including clips from other cases involving fellow officers being prosecuted unfairly for acts they did not commit.
Pol. Col. Phakphum, formerly a trusted subordinate of Big Joke, revealed some officers had been physically assaulted. Key points summarized include:
1. Pol. Col. Phakphum said that early on, he submitted a letter to former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin asking for his dismissal from the police so he could fight as a private citizen. However, due to pending disciplinary and criminal cases, he could not resign and was later dismissed. He stressed he never protested publicly but fought legally to return to service. He implied those involved in misconduct were already known.
2. Regarding assaults on his subordinates, Pol. Col. Phakphum stated that those attacked have likely testified but he declined to reveal details because witnesses are being harassed, threatening the case's integrity. He confirmed witnessing some incidents and that other witnesses have also seen these assaults.
3. Pol. Col. Phakphum said many junior officers have been too afraid to come forward until now. He decided to speak out for them, overcoming fear with courage, fighting falsehoods with truth, and openly opposing corrupt methods. He acknowledged anticipating the consequences, including attempts to contact him shortly before his disclosure and subsequent efforts to harm his family, but he was prepared for these challenges. He emphasized that if he did not speak, the corrupt system would continue destroying people.
4. He stated that if speaking the truth brings justice or frees others from suffering endured for ten years and forty betrayals, he would not hesitate. Some officers who have come forward are already protected. As for himself, he is not afraid and has no remarks about the accused, but if he must speak, he believes the truth is known and the drama is nearing its conclusion—truth will ultimately prevail.
5. Details and documents submitted to the police will be officially announced on 5 Jan 2026 GMT+7. The case is under investigation with gathering of testimonial and physical evidence. Currently, there are attempts to intimidate witnesses and destroy evidence, complicating investigators' work. After 5 January, everything will become clear, including the relationship between Big Joke and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
6. Pol. Col. Phakphum is confident everything is true and can lead to convictions. Regarding an old gambling website case, he believes police are seeking the truth but it is unrelated to the gold bribery case. His role is to present facts and evidence to the investigative team and let them proceed. The investigation is expected to take at least two more months.