'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rosshairs-
Airport biometrics deal opens Pandora's box of police rivalry
Former immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn opened a Pandora's box when he publicly asserted that the recent shooting of his car was connected with the Immigration Bureau's controversial procurement of a biometric identification system.
His accusation has shone a light not only on the procuring of the biometric system which has been installed at international airports to detect fake passports and prevent criminals from sneaking into the country, but also on the power struggle between himself and national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
A source in the Royal Thai Police (RTP) told the Bangkok Post that Pol Lt Gen Surachate wanted to scrap the purchase after his appointment to head the IB in 2017. Yet Pol Lt Gen Surachate -- known as "Big Joke" -- failed to get his way as the 2.1-billion-baht project was under the jurisdiction of the RTP.
The project was initiated by former police chief Somyot Poompunmuang in line with the government's policy to step up security and strengthen passenger screening at immigration checkpoints.
It got off the ground when assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Phrosunthorn was at the helm of the IB.
Given the high cost, the procurement was carried out under the RTP, and the system became operational during the tenure of current IB chief Sompong Chingduang.
According to the source, the handover, which was divided into six phases, was delayed, prompting Pol Lt Gen Surachate to report the issue to Pol Gen Chakthip. It is believed that Pol Lt Gen Surachate wanted the procurement scrapped so he could court fresh bids for the project.
In proposing the cancellation, Pol Lt Gen Surachate cited regulations which allow for cancellation if the contractor is incapable of handing over the project in time, said the source.
However, Pol Gen Chakthip decided to go on with the scheme, citing the need to get the biometric identification system operational in time for the 2019 Asean summit.
"At that time Pol Lt Gen Surachate and Pol Gen Chakthip were not on friendly terms and their relations turned sour following the row over the scheme," said the source.
It is believed that ties were completely severed when Pol Lt Gen Surachate was transferred out of the RTP without explanation in April last year to an inactive civilian post as an adviser at the Prime Minister's Office.
Shortly after Pol Lt Gen Surachate's abrupt removal, lawyer Sittra Biabangkerd, who is known to be close to the former IB chief, lodged a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) calling for a probe into the procurement.
At the same time, Pol Gen Chakthip ordered a separate RTP inquiry while the NACC set up its fact-finding panel. Two days before Mr Sittra was scheduled to give a statement to the NACC, gunmen fired shots at Pol Lt Gen Surachate's car in Bangkok's Bang Rak district, putting him firmly back in the spotlight.
Another police source in the team investigating the drive-by shooting said there was something "off" about the incident. While the shooting was clearly intended to intimidate, the gunmen appeared to have avoided firing at "life-threatening" targets on the car, such as the windows, said the source.
This has triggered speculation that the shooting could have been staged.
The NACC's probe into the scheme is likely to gain significant attention now that Mr Sittra has a submitted a new list of 13 witnesses to the anti-graft agency. His initial list had only one witness -- Pol Lt Gen Surachate.
In the new list, two, including Pol Lt Gen Surachate, hold the rank of general, 10 hold colonel rank while the other is a non-commissioned officer. All were apparently against the delivery of the project under the original bidding conditions due to alleged irregularities.
Pol Lt Gen Sompong admitted to the Bangkok Post that the project had been delayed, but said the deadline was extended to ensure continuity.
He also said the extension was granted in part due to the delay in the handover of areas at some airports and explained that costs rose from 1.7 billion baht to 2.1 billion baht because the project was expanded to cover all 76 provinces.
Background
The Royal Thai Police's Office of Logistics contracted a joint venture led by MSC Sittipol Co to supply the biometric identification system in 2017 with the delivery divided into six phases.
The median price for the scheme was estimated at 1.735 billion baht and MSC Sittipol Co was identified as one of the estimators of the median price.
According to Mr Sittra's petition, the first through fourth phases were delayed 30 days, 106 days, 177 days and nine months respectively, while the handover of the fifth (Oct 4, 2018) and the sixth (May 2, 2019) phases had not taken place at the time the complaint was lodged.
Mr Sittra claims the project failed to meet its purpose because the system was installed at places where it was not needed. He also alleges the handover was signed despite delays to help the company evade late penalty fees.
'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
Prayut warns 'Big Joke' to behave
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... e#cxrecs_s
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday issued an official warning letter to Pol Lt Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, urging him to observe official codes of conduct.
The warning also said that failing to observe official codes and negligence causing damage to society will warrant a disciplinary probe.
The move followed the sudden transfer of deputy national chief Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta, which was also signed by Gen Prayut early on Friday. Pol Gen Wirachai was moved for allegedly defying a direct order by national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
The transfer order was issued on Thursday after the Royal Thai Police (RTP) reportedly formed a panel on Tuesday to investigate the matter, and Pol Gen Wirachai was quickly transferred to the Prime Minister's Office to ensure a transparent probe.
Also on Thursday, Pol Gen Chakthip issued directives to nullify all jobs Pol Gen Wirachai had been assigned to do, including his work on intellectual property violations.
The transfer order was related to the shots fired at the Lexus SUV owned by Pol Lt Gen Surachate, a former immigration police chief and now a special civilian adviser to the PM's Office. The shooting took place on Jan 6, and Pol Gen Wirachai decided to help with the investigation.
On Jan 9, however, Pol Gen Wirachai was told by Pol Gen Chakthip to stay out of the case, but chose to defy the order. Instead he spoke to reporters and observed the examination of the vehicle. His boss had told him to wait for an investigation report from the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
He was also transferred for allegedly leaking a recording of a phone conversation he had with his boss. In the audio clip, which has gone viral, the national police chief was heard warning his subordinate and mentioning a person named "Joke".
Pol Gen Chakthip was also heard saying that a police general should not take orders from a police lieutenant general, and that Pol Gen Wirachai should not do anything that would put his integrity in jeopardy.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate reportedly linked the gunshots to his call for an investigation into the 2-billion-baht biometric identification system which was approved by Pol Gen Chakthip. He also demanded that the national police chief explain why those behind the shooting have not been arrested.
Meanwhile, well-known lawyer Sittra Biabangkerd has called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission to grill Pol Gen Chakthip about the procurement of the largely inefficient biometric identification system and plug-in hybrid petrol vehicles bought for the Immigration Bureau. He said Pol Gen Chakthip should be held responsible for the purchases.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... e#cxrecs_s
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday issued an official warning letter to Pol Lt Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, urging him to observe official codes of conduct.
The warning also said that failing to observe official codes and negligence causing damage to society will warrant a disciplinary probe.
The move followed the sudden transfer of deputy national chief Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta, which was also signed by Gen Prayut early on Friday. Pol Gen Wirachai was moved for allegedly defying a direct order by national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
The transfer order was issued on Thursday after the Royal Thai Police (RTP) reportedly formed a panel on Tuesday to investigate the matter, and Pol Gen Wirachai was quickly transferred to the Prime Minister's Office to ensure a transparent probe.
Also on Thursday, Pol Gen Chakthip issued directives to nullify all jobs Pol Gen Wirachai had been assigned to do, including his work on intellectual property violations.
The transfer order was related to the shots fired at the Lexus SUV owned by Pol Lt Gen Surachate, a former immigration police chief and now a special civilian adviser to the PM's Office. The shooting took place on Jan 6, and Pol Gen Wirachai decided to help with the investigation.
On Jan 9, however, Pol Gen Wirachai was told by Pol Gen Chakthip to stay out of the case, but chose to defy the order. Instead he spoke to reporters and observed the examination of the vehicle. His boss had told him to wait for an investigation report from the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
He was also transferred for allegedly leaking a recording of a phone conversation he had with his boss. In the audio clip, which has gone viral, the national police chief was heard warning his subordinate and mentioning a person named "Joke".
Pol Gen Chakthip was also heard saying that a police general should not take orders from a police lieutenant general, and that Pol Gen Wirachai should not do anything that would put his integrity in jeopardy.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate reportedly linked the gunshots to his call for an investigation into the 2-billion-baht biometric identification system which was approved by Pol Gen Chakthip. He also demanded that the national police chief explain why those behind the shooting have not been arrested.
Meanwhile, well-known lawyer Sittra Biabangkerd has called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission to grill Pol Gen Chakthip about the procurement of the largely inefficient biometric identification system and plug-in hybrid petrol vehicles bought for the Immigration Bureau. He said Pol Gen Chakthip should be held responsible for the purchases.
- Pol Lt Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn is warned to observe official codes of conduct. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
- c1_1843284_200125082332.jpg (194.41 KiB) Viewed 872 times
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
I find it really strange that all of this is being played out in public, but then again, when you have a dictator at the helm.....
Talk is cheap
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
I think when it's all said and done, perhaps a few years from now, Surachate will turn out to be one of the most honest and proficient cops that ever existed here. That's what scares these others.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
‘BIG JOKE’ LEFT COUNTRY, DAYS AFTER GOV’T WARNING
Former immigration police commander Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn left Thailand on Monday, his aides said, adding even more mystery to an ongoing investigation into a recent drive-by shooting that targeted him.
Surachate departed Thailand with his wife and family for India, where he would take up monkhood for about a week, according to his aides, just days after the government issued him with an unusually harsh warning not to bring disgrace to the bureaucracy. The inquiry into the shooting also appeared to be going nowhere.
“The incident took place at night, so it’s quite difficult to analyze the footage. There’s not enough light and the traffic blocks our view of the suspects,” metropolitan police’s chief investigator Col. Santi Chainiramai said.
He declined to discuss the case any further, instead referring all inquiries to the Metropolitan Division 6, who oversees the investigation.
But when reached by a reporter, division commander Maj. Gen. Methee Rakpan declined to comment about the case. The chief of Bangrak Police Station, who has jurisdiction over the area where the shooting took place, also declined an interview.
Police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen could not be reached for comment as of publication time.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/ ... t-warning/
Former immigration police commander Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn left Thailand on Monday, his aides said, adding even more mystery to an ongoing investigation into a recent drive-by shooting that targeted him.
Surachate departed Thailand with his wife and family for India, where he would take up monkhood for about a week, according to his aides, just days after the government issued him with an unusually harsh warning not to bring disgrace to the bureaucracy. The inquiry into the shooting also appeared to be going nowhere.
“The incident took place at night, so it’s quite difficult to analyze the footage. There’s not enough light and the traffic blocks our view of the suspects,” metropolitan police’s chief investigator Col. Santi Chainiramai said.
He declined to discuss the case any further, instead referring all inquiries to the Metropolitan Division 6, who oversees the investigation.
But when reached by a reporter, division commander Maj. Gen. Methee Rakpan declined to comment about the case. The chief of Bangrak Police Station, who has jurisdiction over the area where the shooting took place, also declined an interview.
Police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen could not be reached for comment as of publication time.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/ ... t-warning/
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
Court sets date for 'Big Joke' case
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -joke-case
Complaint by former subordinate dating back to 2011 to get an airing on March 30
The Criminal Court has set a date to hear a case in which a police superintendent accuses former immigration chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn of pressing false charges against him.
The court said it would hear the case brought by Krissanapong Kanchaikij, a superintendent attached to Provincial Police Region 9, on March 30.
Pol Col Krissanapong alleged that Pol Lt Gen Surachate filed a false charge of abusing his authority against him in the Criminal Court on July 12, 2011.
He said he had been accused of hiring or coaxing a karaoke pub owner to submit a formal complaint against Pol Lt Gen Surachate.
Pub owner Ketsayam Naowarangsee had alleged that Pol Lt Gen Surachate had extorted money from him during a subsequent trial.
Pol Col Krissanapong said Pol Lt Gen Surachate wanted to land him in trouble because the former immigration chief, who was his superior at the time, was convinced he held grudges after having been reprimanded.
Pol Col Krissanapong denied he hired Mr Ketsayam to lodge the court action. The pub owner took Pol Lt Gen Surachate to court of his own free will, he said.
During that trial, Mr Ketsayam fled to Laos, resulting in the suspension of the trial.
The Criminal Court later acquitted Pol Col Krissana of the charge filed by Pol Lt Gen Surachate, saying there were no grounds. Pol Lt Gen Surachate’s appeal against the ruling was also dropped, according to Pol Col Krissanapong.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was suddenly removed last year as immigration police chief and made an adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office on public service, ending his high-flying career in the police force. No reason was given for his reassignment to the inactive post.
The formerly high-profile officer had stayed out of the limelight until early last month, when eight gunshots were fired at his car in Bang Rak district of Bangkok.
He claimed at the time that someone was trying to shut him up because he had been a vocal critic of a 2-billion-baht biometric scanning system that the Immigration Bureau had procured.
Early this month, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued an official warning letter to Pol Lt Gen Surachate, telling him to observe official codes of conduct.
The warning came after Pol Lt Gen Surachate called for an investigation into the procurement of the German-made biometric system, which was approved by national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta, a deputy police chief, was recently moved an inactive post for apparently defying an order from Pol Gen Chakthip to stay out of the Surachate investigation.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate has since left the country and has been ordained temporarily as a Buddhist monk in India.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -joke-case
Complaint by former subordinate dating back to 2011 to get an airing on March 30
The Criminal Court has set a date to hear a case in which a police superintendent accuses former immigration chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn of pressing false charges against him.
The court said it would hear the case brought by Krissanapong Kanchaikij, a superintendent attached to Provincial Police Region 9, on March 30.
Pol Col Krissanapong alleged that Pol Lt Gen Surachate filed a false charge of abusing his authority against him in the Criminal Court on July 12, 2011.
He said he had been accused of hiring or coaxing a karaoke pub owner to submit a formal complaint against Pol Lt Gen Surachate.
Pub owner Ketsayam Naowarangsee had alleged that Pol Lt Gen Surachate had extorted money from him during a subsequent trial.
Pol Col Krissanapong said Pol Lt Gen Surachate wanted to land him in trouble because the former immigration chief, who was his superior at the time, was convinced he held grudges after having been reprimanded.
Pol Col Krissanapong denied he hired Mr Ketsayam to lodge the court action. The pub owner took Pol Lt Gen Surachate to court of his own free will, he said.
During that trial, Mr Ketsayam fled to Laos, resulting in the suspension of the trial.
The Criminal Court later acquitted Pol Col Krissana of the charge filed by Pol Lt Gen Surachate, saying there were no grounds. Pol Lt Gen Surachate’s appeal against the ruling was also dropped, according to Pol Col Krissanapong.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was suddenly removed last year as immigration police chief and made an adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office on public service, ending his high-flying career in the police force. No reason was given for his reassignment to the inactive post.
The formerly high-profile officer had stayed out of the limelight until early last month, when eight gunshots were fired at his car in Bang Rak district of Bangkok.
He claimed at the time that someone was trying to shut him up because he had been a vocal critic of a 2-billion-baht biometric scanning system that the Immigration Bureau had procured.
Early this month, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued an official warning letter to Pol Lt Gen Surachate, telling him to observe official codes of conduct.
The warning came after Pol Lt Gen Surachate called for an investigation into the procurement of the German-made biometric system, which was approved by national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta, a deputy police chief, was recently moved an inactive post for apparently defying an order from Pol Gen Chakthip to stay out of the Surachate investigation.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate has since left the country and has been ordained temporarily as a Buddhist monk in India.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
2011!! This was long before he rose to fame and became the 'Poster Boy' of Thai immigration.Pol Col Krissanapong alleged that Pol Lt Gen Surachate filed a false charge of abusing his authority against him in the Criminal Court on July 12, 2011.
Something here is not right.
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
'Big Joke' returns to work
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ns-to-work
Former immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has returned to work at the PM’s Office after his stint as a Buddhist monk in India.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate has been asked to think of new ways to handle complaints from the public, PM's Office permanent secretary Thiraphat Prayoonsit said yesterday. He has also been told to heed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warning on how to conduct himself, Mr Thiraphat said.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was last year removed as Immigration Police chief and became an special adviser at the PM’s Office. No reason was given for his reassignment.
Last month, Gen Prayut reprimanded the former immigration chief, telling him to observe official codes of conduct.
The warning came after Pol Lt Gen Surachate reportedly called for a probe into a 2-billion-baht biometric identification system approved by national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ns-to-work
Former immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has returned to work at the PM’s Office after his stint as a Buddhist monk in India.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate has been asked to think of new ways to handle complaints from the public, PM's Office permanent secretary Thiraphat Prayoonsit said yesterday. He has also been told to heed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warning on how to conduct himself, Mr Thiraphat said.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was last year removed as Immigration Police chief and became an special adviser at the PM’s Office. No reason was given for his reassignment.
Last month, Gen Prayut reprimanded the former immigration chief, telling him to observe official codes of conduct.
The warning came after Pol Lt Gen Surachate reportedly called for a probe into a 2-billion-baht biometric identification system approved by national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: 'Big Joke' in the crosshairs?
'Big Joke' shouldn't jump to conclusions: Wissanu
Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn has every right to sue the premier for moving him from the Immigration Bureau to the Office of the Prime Minister, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
However, he said it would be wrong for him to assume last year's forced transfer was comparable with that of Thawil Pliensri, who was removed as National Security Council (NSC) chief by the former premier, Yingluck Shinawatra.
In 2014, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled Mr Thawil's removal was unlawful. Pol Lt Gen Surachate reportedly filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier this week claiming he had also been transferred illegally.
The former police commander, who goes by the nickname "Big Joke", headed the Immigration Police Bureau until last year, when he was suddenly shunted out of law enforcement to the civilian post of adviser at the Prime Minister's Office.
The reason for his sudden fall from grace was never explained.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate says that although it has been more than a year since he was removed, the government has offered no explanation.
Asked whether Pol Lt Gen Surachate could return to the Royal Thai Police, Mr Wissanu said that was possible if the Prime Minister's Office submitted the matter to the PM for consideration.
Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon declined to speak to the media about Pol Lt Gen Surachate's lawsuit against Gen Prayut. He said it had nothing to do with him and he had not seen Pol Lt Gen Surachate for more than a year.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ns-wissanu
The galloping arrogance of some of these people is beyond belief.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn has every right to sue the premier for moving him from the Immigration Bureau to the Office of the Prime Minister, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
However, he said it would be wrong for him to assume last year's forced transfer was comparable with that of Thawil Pliensri, who was removed as National Security Council (NSC) chief by the former premier, Yingluck Shinawatra.
In 2014, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled Mr Thawil's removal was unlawful. Pol Lt Gen Surachate reportedly filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier this week claiming he had also been transferred illegally.
The former police commander, who goes by the nickname "Big Joke", headed the Immigration Police Bureau until last year, when he was suddenly shunted out of law enforcement to the civilian post of adviser at the Prime Minister's Office.
The reason for his sudden fall from grace was never explained.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate says that although it has been more than a year since he was removed, the government has offered no explanation.
Asked whether Pol Lt Gen Surachate could return to the Royal Thai Police, Mr Wissanu said that was possible if the Prime Minister's Office submitted the matter to the PM for consideration.
Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon declined to speak to the media about Pol Lt Gen Surachate's lawsuit against Gen Prayut. He said it had nothing to do with him and he had not seen Pol Lt Gen Surachate for more than a year.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ns-wissanu
The galloping arrogance of some of these people is beyond belief.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson