Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers raided the house of Royal Thai Police (RTP) Deputy Commissioner Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn this morning over allegations of his involvement in a web-based gambling operation. Big Joke denied the allegation and refused to allow officers to enter his home.
CCIB officers tried to raid five houses owned by Big Joke in Soi Vibhawadee 60 near the Police Sports Club in Bangkok’s Lak Si district at 8am today. One of the homes is Big Joke’s home while the other four provide lodging for members of his staff.
Big Joke didn’t allow any officers to enter his home and the CCIB Commissioner, Worrawat Nakhonbancha, is now negotiating with his 53 yr old deputy.
An arrest warrant for the Big Joke has not yet been issued. The authorities’ primary objective is to search his residence for potential proof related to the allegations and to conduct an intensive investigation.
According to Thai PBS, Big Joke’s financial transactions had been allegedly discovered to involve the former president of Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek. Tarn was previously arrested for working an internet gambling web site known as TS911.com and for cash laundering through his help of the soccer staff.
Following Tarn’s arrest, police raided several places within the provinces of Petchaburi, Samut Prakarn, Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Sara Buri in search of the relevant suspects. Piece of cake have been arrested within the raids, including two law enforcement officials from Big Joke’s group.
Big Joke is favourite to be the brand new RTP Commissioner, as the current Commissioner, Damrongsak Kittipraphat, will retire on Sunday, October 1. The other three candidates are the three Deputy Commissioners, including Roy Ingkapairoj, Kittirat Phanphet and Torsak Sukvimol.
The new RTP commissioner might be appointed by newly elected Prime Minister Srettha Tavisin and the selection is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27.
Big Joke has been allegedly implicated in a quantity of main cases, together with the recent murder of Police Major General Siwakorn Saibua. However, the case was just lately transferred to the Crime Suppression Division by RTP Commissioner Damrongsak, leading many to suspect conflict inside the RTP.
Damrongsak asserted that he was transferring the Big Joke case not due to any performance points, but to make sure the security of the investigation, citing it as a standard process within the RTP.
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