FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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‘Big Joke’ granted leave for US trip

‘Big Joke’ granted leave for US trip

Former Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn is on leave until the end of April, his new boss said on Thursday.

Surachate, also known by his nickname "Big Joke”, requested the leave for his trip to the United States and would come back to work at the Prime Minister's Office next month, said Patcharaporn Intreyonk, permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office.
Patcharaporn said she gave permission for him to take the leave as Surachate is eligible to it as a civil servant.
She said he would have to report for work with her at the end of his leave. When asked about assignments to be given to Surachate, his new supervisor said the agency's executives would meet to determine suitable work based on his skills and abilities.
Once a rising star in the police, Surachate was on April 9 moved out of the Royal Thai Police to the Prime Minister's Office at the order of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The order appointed Surachate as a special adviser at the Prime Minister's Office, a position considered inactive.
No reason was given for Surachate's transfer, first out of the Immigration Bureau and then out of the police altogether. Speculation pointed to alleged irregularities involving personnel transfers of senior police officers.
Surachate attained his lieutenant-general's rank when he was only in his mid-40s. He had the opportunity to serve some top police commanders in the past. And he is close to Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees the police.

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