‘Big Joke’ withdraws malfeasance complaint against Srettha
Pol General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn on Tuesday withdrew the complaint he had filed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) accusing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code for suspending him from the police force.
In his complaint, Surachate accused Srettha of bringing him back to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) only to suspend him. The premier had shifted him from the RTP to the PM’s office for 60 days to make way for an investigation into money-laundering charges linked to an online gambling website called BNK Master.
On March 20, Srettha transferred Surachate and national police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol to inactive posts following reports of a feud between the two.
On April 19, acting national police chief Pol General Kitrat Pangphet signed an order suspending Surachate and five of his subordinates from the RTP over allegations that they were involved with the BNK Master gambling network. This prompted Surachate to file a complaint with the NACC three days later.
Surachate however retained his complaint against other officials related to the investigation of the case, whom he is also accusing of misconduct in office, NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Gasemmongkol said on Tuesday.
Niwatchai said that despite the complaint against the PM being withdrawn, the NACC will still investigate the matter.
He added that a similar situation had arisen before when former police chief Pol General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves last year filed a complaint against Srettha for appointing Pol General Torsak Sukwimol as RTP commissioner-general. Sereepisuth argued that Pol General Roy Ingkapairote should instead be given the position due to his seniority.
The matter is still under investigation, Niwatchai said.
