The second phase of uncertainty in Pol. Gen. "Big Joke's" police career after the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed his petition, ruling that the suspension order is lawful. Attention now turns to the next stage: the "dismissal order," with results expected by mid-2026.
On 9 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the Supreme Administrative Court, by a plenary vote of its judges, ruled to dismiss the case filed by former Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn against the National Police Chief, the Police Integrity Protection Committee (PIPC), and the Prime Minister. The case challenged the National Police Office's Order No. 178/2567 dated 18 Apr 2024, which suspended Pol. Gen. Surachate from duty pending investigation. He was accused of serious disciplinary offenses linked to involvement with an online gambling website, leading to criminal charges and an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court for conspiracy and money laundering offenses as a public official.
The court reasoned that the criminal court had issued arrest warrant No. 1396/2567 dated 2 Apr 2024, stating that Pol. Gen. Surachate conspired with others to commit money laundering and personally participated in the offense as a public official. This justified the serious disciplinary allegations against him without requiring prior fact-finding investigation.
Furthermore, as a high-ranking police officer responsible for public order and safety and crime prevention, Pol. Gen. Surachate’s criminal allegations severely damage public trust and the National Police Office’s image. His misconduct is deemed untrustworthy behavior that could improperly influence disciplinary and criminal proceedings or interfere with evidence.
At the court’s judgment reading, Pol. Gen. Surachate’s representatives attended, while approximately eight police officers ranging from senior to mid-level ranks represented the defendants. After the verdict, neither the plaintiff’s nor the defendants’ sides offered comments to the media.
This issue continues to draw public interest as today’s Supreme Administrative Court ruling only concerns suspension, not dismissal. Thairath Online’s special team consulted former National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Ek Angsananon, a senior police advisor, about the case’s progress and future direction.
Pol. Gen. Ek explained that the ruling means Pol. Gen. Surachate remains a police officer but is temporarily suspended indefinitely as ordered by the National Police Office. There are two orders involving him: suspension and dismissal for money laundering offenses. Regarding dismissal, Pol. Gen. Surachate must file a new case with the Supreme Administrative Court and contest it fully.
If the Supreme Administrative Court upholds the dismissal order, Pol. Gen. Surachate will permanently lose his police status, ending his career immediately. The dismissal process starts with a disciplinary committee investigation, after which the accused can appeal the order. Today’s ruling dismissed the appeal, so the suspension remains effective. The law allows filing with the Supreme Administrative Court within 90 days of the decision, but Pol. Gen. Surachate has not yet filed on this matter.
Pol. Gen. Ek added that if the dismissal appeal proceeds, the process would likely take about six months, with a decision expected by mid-2026, concluding the administrative case. The criminal case, however, remains under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Pol. Gen. Ek also noted that normally, the National Police Chief can immediately dismiss officers upon discovering misconduct. However, the 2024 National Police Act requires a disciplinary committee’s investigation and recommendation before suspension or dismissal. Pol. Gen. Surachate cited this legal provision in his defense.
The case is not yet finalized, as the dismissal order and the ongoing criminal investigation by relevant agencies remain pending. The forthcoming outcomes will determine whether Pol. Gen. Surachate’s police career continues or ends, closely watched by society.