Bangkok: “Big Joke,” formally known as Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakpal, has submitted a formal letter to the Cyber Police Commissioner, urging for the cessation of what he claims to be illegal separate prosecutions against him and his subordinates in connection with the Minnie gambling website case. He argues that these actions violate legal standards and amount to harassment, diverting attention from more pressing issues like regulating gambling websites and stopping scammers.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Surachet, who is the former deputy national police chief, addressed his concerns to Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembut, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). He is seeking justice amid accusations of involvement with the gambling website BNK Master, a part of the Minnie network. Although the case is under the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)’s jurisdiction, attempts have been made to isolate the case against Pol. Gen. Surachet and his former subordinates, citing financial connections with “Big T” and other officers who have not faced prosecution.
Pol. Gen. Surachet disclosed that his previous testimony to the House of Representatives committee revealed the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1 had split the case to initiate a new one against him and his team using the same complaints lodged at Thung Song Hong and Tao Poon police stations. The funds from these complaints, originating from a mule account at Thung Mahamek Police Station, never reached him, but investigators inferred otherwise. Although the NACC found distinct financial ties between him and his subordinates, they still suggested issuing arrest warrants for him based on complaints at the mentioned police stations, which he claims is unlawful.
In response, Pol. Gen. Surachet is petitioning for the Commander of the Office of the Attorney General to relay his plea to the National Police Commissioner, urging an end to repeated prosecutions and the immediate forwarding of all case files to the NACC.
Pol. Gen. Surachet also criticized the handling of a related case involving the former national police chief accused of money laundering, which has affected him and his family. He noted that unlike his case, the cyber police did not separate the case file for prosecution. He urged the national police chief to focus on dismantling online gambling operations and scams instead of targeting him.
Furthermore, Pol. Gen. Surachet questioned the National Police Chief regarding allegations surfaced on the “Phra Chan Lai Kratai” Facebook page, which accused a regional police commander of accepting appointment payments. He mentioned the page’s previous support for “Big Tai” and expressed his frustration at being targeted, describing the situation as untenable. Additionally, he highlighted that the regional police commander implicated is a classmate of the National Police Chief.