Further suspicion has been forged on the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, after a video recorded by a renowned Thai lawyer showed Big Joke singing with a leading on-line playing operator at a celebration.
The former president of the Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek, and a Thai lady named Suchanan, also known as Minnie, have been arrested for working on-line gambling websites. Following their arrest, police carried out further investigations and found that eight cops have been reportedly concerned within the illegal companies.
The eight officers have been recognized as:
All eight police officers collaborated carefully with Deputy Commissioner Big Joke, resulting in the search of Big Joke’s residence and 4 different close by houses belonging to his subordinates. The fifty three yr previous deputy initially refused officers entry into his residence but later permitted the Cyber Police to conduct an investigation on his premises. No unlawful or suspicious gadgets have been discovered within the residence.
As of now, Big Joke remains innocent, and the investigation is ongoing. While the relevant departments proceed to work on the case, a viral video circulating on Thai social media has raised doubts in regards to the deputy commissioner’s conduct.
A Twitter user, @joe_black317, shared a video recorded yesterday by the renowned Thai lawyer Sitta “Tum” Biabangkerd. In the video, Big Joke is seen singing at a celebration alongside the prominent playing operator Minnie.
Big Joke acknowledged attending the get together featured within the video and clarified that it was organized for police officers in his team. At the time, he allowed his subordinates to invite their family and friends members, suggesting that somebody might need invited Minnie to the gathering.
Big Joke maintained that he has no personal acquaintance with Minnie and has not had any contact together with her. He added that his amiable and sociable nature might explain why folks tend to approach him at such events.
Big Joke believes that there may be an inner conflict within the RTP, and these allegations are an attempt to tarnish his status, as reported by the BBC. He noted that he had beforehand apprehended numerous corrupt law enforcement officials, which could presumably be putting strain on sure people.
However, RTP Commissioner Damrongsak Kittipraphat asserted to the media that there isn’t a inside battle inside the department. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring justice for all parties and maintained Big Joke’s innocence.
ORIGINAL STORY: Big Joke accused of being concerned in a web-based playing operation
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers raided the home 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 permit officers to enter his home.
CCIB officers tried to raid five homes owned by Big Joke in Soi Vibhawadee 60 close to the Police Sports Club in Bangkok’s Lak Si district at 8am at present. One of the houses is Big Joke’s home while the opposite four provide lodging for members of his staff.
Big Joke did not enable any officers to enter his residence and the CCIB Commissioner, Worrawat Nakhonbancha, is now negotiating with his fifty three year old deputy.
An arrest warrant for the Big Joke has not yet been issued. The authorities’ major goal is to search his residence for potential proof associated to the allegations and to conduct a radical investigation.
According to Thai PBS, Big Joke’s financial transactions were allegedly found to contain the former president of Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek. Tarn was beforehand arrested for working an internet playing site known as TS911.com and for money laundering through his help of the football team.
Following Tarn’s arrest, police raided a number of locations within the provinces of Petchaburi, Samut Prakarn, Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Sara Buri looking for the related suspects. Eleven folks had been arrested in the raids, together with two cops from Big Joke’s team.
Quick is favorite to be the model new RTP Commissioner, as the present 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 shall 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 several main circumstances, including the recent homicide of Police Major General Siwakorn Saibua. However, the case was recently transferred to the Crime Suppression Division by RTP Commissioner Damrongsak, leading many to suspect conflict throughout the RTP.
Damrongsak asserted that he was transferring the Big Joke case not due to any performance issues, but to make sure the security of the investigation, citing it as a normal process throughout the RTP.
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