A summons has been issued for suspended deputy national police chief, Surachate Hakparn, along with 4 other suspended police officers. The Bangkok Post reports that the 5 are being summonsed over a disciplinary violation, according to deputy national chief Sarawut Kanpanich.
Surachate, aka “Big Joke”, and the other 4 officers, were suspended on April 18 for their alleged involvement with the BNK Master gambling website. Following the suspensions, a Royal Thai Police disciplinary probe panel was established. Acting national police chief Kitrat Panphet assigned Sarawut to chair the panel.
Following the panel’s first meeting, Sarawut confirmed Surachate and the other 4 officers are being summoned before the panel on May 7.
This was the deadline given in the Audit and Monitoring Committees of Police Administration Regulations on Probe and Investigation. Sarawut adds that the accused officers can postpone the summons if needed, but not by more than the 270-day deadline.
Surachate has tried to submit a petition to have one of the 14 panel members investigated, claiming to have a personal conflict with him. Sarawut says the matter is for the actional national police to decide whether the member is question is qualified to sit on the panel.
Meanwhile, Surachate says that on April 19, the day after he was suspended, he gave orders for his stuff to be packed up in his office at the Royal Thai Police and his government car to be returned.
The former deputy police chief says he’s considering registering to be elected as a senator as he wants to continue serving the public as much as possible.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
