Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn lodged a formal complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) today, accusing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance in office. The accusation centers on the Prime Minister’s appointment of Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the national police chief last year, which Surachate claims was unlawful.
Surachate is currently seeking reinstatement to the Royal Thai Police after being removed from service due to allegations of involvement in money laundering connected to the BNK Master online gambling network. He revealed to the media that his decision to revive the malfeasance case against the Prime Minister came after learning that former police chief, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, had withdrawn his own complaint against the Prime Minister for undisclosed reasons.
Previously, Surachate had filed a similar complaint with the NACC but retracted it because it duplicated Sereepisuth’s complaint. The former police chief argues that the Prime Minister violated the Police Act by appointing Torsak as the police chief. According to Surachate, the most senior officer eligible for the position was Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote, with himself being the next in line, followed by Torsak.
Surachate emphasized that his actions are not driven by personal animosity toward the Prime Minister. He acknowledged that while the Prime Minister has the authority to appoint the police chief, he is nonetheless required to adhere to the law. He stressed that his primary concern is upholding the integrity of the legal system, regardless of whether he is reinstated to the police force.
The complaint highlights ongoing tensions within the Royal Thai Police and raises questions about the transparency and legality of high-level appointments within the force. Several officials and former officials were present during the filing of the complaint, underscoring the significance of the issue within the Thai police and political landscape.
