The newly appointed national police chief, Police Genera; Torsak Sukvimol, sought clarification from deputy nationwide police chief Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, following a police search of the latter’s residence earlier this week.
Pol. Gen. Torsak addressed inquiries after a photograph of him shaking arms with Big Joke gained attention on social media yesterday.
Reports within the media instructed that Big Joke privately met Pol. Gen. Torsak to congratulate him on his current appointment, succeeding the retiring Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas.
The incoming police chief stated that he contacted Big Joke after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced concerns that the week’s events may negatively impression the popularity of the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Rumours circulated that the police search at Big Joke’s house was an attempt to tarnish his reputation ahead of the model new police chief’s appointment on September 27. Both Pol. Gen. Torsak and Big Joke were candidates for the position.
Pol. Gen. Torsak firmly denied involvement in the search of Big Joke’s residence, maintaining that there is no personal conflict between them and that they are in discussions about the means forward for the police pressure.
“I was completely unaware of the house search, which is why I had to communicate to him to clarify that attempts were being made to set us in opposition to one another during the nomination process.”
Pol. Gen. Torsak confirmed that the circulating photograph was taken after their assembly.
In related Manifest , political activist and ex-senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana requested that the Office of the Ombudsman search intervention from the Administrative Court in regards to the new police chief’s appointment.
Ruangkrai’s petition is based on objections by Pol. Gen. Ake Angsananont, a former deputy nationwide police chief who voted in opposition to Pol. Gen. Torsak’s nomination. During the assembly, PM Srettha, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Police Commission under the RTP, proposed Pol. Gen. Torsak for the top police position. The attendees selected Pol. Gen. Torsak by a vote of 10 to 1.
Pol. Gen. Ake dissented, arguing that the appointment didn’t comply with regulations. Ruangkrai expressed similar sentiments, which led to his pursuit of a court ruling on the appointment, Bangkok Post reported.
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