PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin today (Mar. 20) transferred both National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimon and Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakphan,nicknamed Big Joke, to work at the Prime Minister’s Office after lingering charges against the latter and his subordinates of being linked to online gambling websites, Thai Rath newspaper said.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet was appointed acting National Police Chief.
Pol. Gen. Surachet and five of his subordinates were accused of being involved in the Minnie online gambling network but the National Anti-Corruption Commission decided earlier this month to itself investigate this case and not return it to the police Anti-Corruption Division to do so.
However another case cropped up with Tao Poon police station accusing Pol. Gen Surachet of involvement in BNK Master online gambling network.
A notice to appear at Tao Poon police station tomorrow in connection with investigation of BNK Master gambling website network was posted at Pol. Gen. Surachate’s house last Sunday. If a second notice is sent and he fails to show up he faces arrest warrant and suspension from duty.
However, Pol. Gen. Torsak said at a joint press conference today that all gambling network cases involving Pol. Gen. Surachate are being transferred to NACC for investigation so that a neutral body handles the legal process and doing so would wipe out the picture of conflict in the police force.
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Top and Front Page: Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimon, left, and Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakphan, right. Photos: Thai Rath
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