A layered plan: Police reveal 7 behaviors of “Big Joke,” a close associate exposed linking him to a 246-baht gold bribe. They disclose audio and video evidence implicating the gold delivery point to his official vehicle.
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) deployed investigative officers to search 11 target locations to gather evidence in a bribery network case involving the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The case centers on 246 baht of gold bars used to solicit case assistance in 2024. This led to Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, known as “Big Joke,” former Deputy Commissioner-General of the RTP, being summoned by the Anti-Corruption Division to hear charges, as previously reported.
On 6 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, Deputy Inspector General of the RTP, alongside Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpan, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Division, and Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepho, Commander of Special Operations Division 1 and RTP deputy spokesperson, held a press conference confirming the facts of the case. They affirmed all events are true with clear, sufficient evidence for prosecution.
The police investigative team summarized the key evidence as follows:
1. Investigation revealed that on 31 Aug 2024, a former senior police officer assigned Mr. S. (surname withheld) to deliver two boxes of gold bars weighing a total of 246 baht to Pol Col Phakphum, the complainant. Phakphum was to pass the gold to Mr. A., a NACC commissioner responsible for the case involving the former officer and associates as accused persons. The goal was to obtain assistance in the case and secure a non-indictment opinion on criminal and disciplinary charges. It was also instructed to record video of the gold handover as evidence.
2. On 1 Sep 2024, Pol Col Phakphum, a former close associate of the senior police officer, delivered the gold bars to Mr. A. via Mr. S., a personal security officer, at the parking lot of an association located in the Phutthamonthon area.
3. Between September and November 2024, Mr. A. summoned the accused to explain facts to the NACC office, accelerating the case review. After the NACC subcommittee resolved not to indict the former officer, investigators accepted a complaint and conducted further investigation before submitting the case file back to the NACC on 5 Jan 2025 GMT+7.
4. The accused in this case include the former senior police officer, Mr. A., a 65-year-old NACC commissioner, and four other involved persons. Investigators charged Mr. A. with misconduct as a public official, including soliciting or accepting property or other benefits improperly and corrupt performance of duties. Some suspects were charged with aiding the offense, while the former senior officer and associates were charged with jointly bribing a government official. All suspects deny all charges.
5. Investigation found that audio and video clips related to the gold handover inside the association align with other evidence and witness testimonies on all points, lending them strong credibility and weight.
6. Crucial evidence includes audio recordings of conversations about the gold handover between Mr. S. and Mr. H., plus video footage showing delivery of gold bars totaling 246 baht, valued at about 10 million baht. These will be used in legal proceedings.
7. Meanwhile, the Supreme Administrative Court has scheduled the verdict reading on the dismissal case of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn for 9 Jan 2026 GMT+7. This will determine whether he can return to his post as Deputy Commissioner-General of the RTP or permanently end his police career.