Bangkok: The court dismissed 'Jok's' defamation lawsuit against 'Big Tao' for falsely accusing him of slapping a subordinate.

According to Thai News Agency, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road had scheduled a hearing to consider the merits of the case, Black Case No. A.1025/2569. Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakparn, former Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, authorized his personal lawyer, Mr. Sanyapat Samart, to file a lawsuit against Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Panngew, Deputy Commissioner of the Crime Suppression Division. The lawsuit was for defamation by publication under Sections 91, 326, 328, and 332 of the Criminal Code.

The case revolved around interviews given by Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat to the media through YouTube and various television programs on January 20, 2026, and January 30, 2026. In these interviews, he claimed that Pol. Gen. Surachet had slapped a subordinate, a Police Lieutenant Colonel, and that one subordinate was emotionally abused and became depressed. He further suggested involvement of several other subordinates, although he was unsure if he was referring to the 17 subordinates mentioned in the interviews. However, a review of medical reports did not substantiate these claims.

The interviews were deemed to constitute defamation against Pol. Gen. Surachet through their video recording and broadcast, which led to public dissemination and damage to his reputation. Consequently, Pol. Gen. Surachet filed a lawsuit in the Criminal Court on April 17, 2026, seeking redress for the contempt and hatred caused by the false information.

Upon reviewing the plaintiff's evidence during the preliminary hearing, the court concluded that there were insufficient grounds to proceed with the case, leading to its dismissal.