Deputy Chief of Thailand’s national police force, Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn, surrendered to fellow officers after a warrant was issued for his arrest on money laundering charges. The court issued the warrant due to Surachate failing to report for questioning after multiple summonses. Surachate went to a police station in Bangkok to hear the charges against him and was released on bail after complying with the warrant. His arrest followed his suspension, along with the national police chief, following allegations of involvement in illegal online gambling and a public feud within the department’s leadership.
Surachate’s residence in Bangkok was raided in September last year in connection to an illegal online gambling network, leading to the arrest of eight of his subordinates. Surachate was a frontrunner for the position of chief of the national police before the raid, but Torsak Sukvimol was appointed instead. Police in Thailand have a history of internal conflict and corruption, and the recent investigation into abuse of power, bribery, and money laundering allegations against Surachate is part of this ongoing issue. Surachate responded by launching a press campaign with lawyers, maintaining his innocence and accusing other top-ranking officers of taking money from online gambling networks.
The feud between Surachate and other top-ranking police officers escalated, leading to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin signing an order to suspend both Surachate and Torsak, launching a special committee to investigate the allegations. Surachate had previously been appointed to the Police Immigration Bureau in 2018 and gained recognition for his media appearances, but was suddenly removed from his post in 2019 before returning in 2021 as an adviser to the police chief. Despite his return to the national police agency and climbing the ranks again, the money laundering charges and feud within the department have tarnished Surachate’s reputation.
Thailand’s national police force has been known for its internal politicking and corruption at all levels. The recent case involving Surachate Hakparn is just one example of the ongoing issues within the department. The involvement of high-ranking officers in illegal activities like money laundering and online gambling has further damaged the reputation of the police force. Surachate’s arrest and suspension, along with the public feud that ensued, highlight the challenges faced by the national police in addressing internal conflicts and rooting out corruption.
Surachate’s surrender and compliance with the arrest warrant indicate a willingness to cooperate with the legal process, despite maintaining his innocence. The court’s decision to issue a warrant for his arrest shows the seriousness of the money laundering allegations against him. The ongoing investigation and suspension of Surachate and the national police chief underscore the government’s efforts to address corruption and abuse of power within the police force. The outcome of this case will have implications for the future of law enforcement in Thailand and the efforts to reform the national police to improve transparency and accountability.
