Abuse complaints latest legal headache for ‘Big Joke’

Former subordinates come forward with allegations against ex-deputy police chief

Police say they expect to question more witnesses as well as victims of alleged abuse committed by former deputy police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn against his subordinates.

The incidents reportedly occurred between two and eight years ago but the complainants only came forward this week. The statute of limitations in such cases is 10 years, said Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

He was speaking on Wednesday after the two former aides — Pol Lt Col Krit Priyakate and Pol Col Aris Kooprasitrat — filed complaints against Pol Gen Surachate with the Crime Suppression Division.

Both men told investigators that while serving as aides to Pol Gen Surachate, they were frequently assaulted, verbally abused with harsh insults, and regularly threatened whenever he was dissatisfied with their work.

‘Burst eardrum’ claim

Pol Lt Col Krit alleged that on Feb 20, 2017, his boss slapped him on the left ear so hard that his eardrum ruptured, leaving him with permanent hearing loss in that ear.

He said he could no longer hear someone speaking from a distance of three to four metres on his left side and must rely on his right ear instead.

Asked whether a medical certificate issued in 2017 could still be used in a case brought years later, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said it could form part of the evidence.

As well, he said, there were witnesses to the alleged assaults against Pol Lt Col Krit, including the one that caused the ruptured eardrum.

Investigators would now seek testimony from other former aides, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said, adding that police had information suggesting there were additional victims.

Depression diagnosis and threats

Pol Col Aris, meanwhile, has alleged severe mental abuse that occurred during the past two to three years. A medical assessment concluded the officer had suffered psychological harm severe enough to cause depression, said Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat 

“Pol Col Aris allegedly sought to return to a previous position but was threatened (by Pol Gen Surachate) that doing so would result in his dismissal from service,” Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said.

“Investigators will look into the alleged conduct and whether it could also fall under offences related to coercion.”

Under legal procedure, investigators must first issue a summons for the accused to formally acknowledge the allegations, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said, adding that summonses were expected to be issued soon.

He dismissed reports that an arrest warrant had been issued, saying none had been sought at this stage.

Pol Gen Surachate said he was aware of the complaints and was consulting his legal team in preparation to fight the case.

He declined to comment on details, and also did not answer questions about whether he believed the allegations were politically motivated.

“I’m not worried and now I’m still in Thailand,” he said.

Firing upheld

The Supreme Administrative Court on Jan 9 this year dismissed a petition filed by Pol Gen Surachate, seeking to overturn a 2024 order dismissing him from the police force.

A police disciplinary committee recommended in March 2025 that Pol Gen Surachate be fired without a pension because of his alleged links to online gambling.

The former deputy chief has consistently denied the allegations, saying they were concocted by rivals on the force to block his path to the police chief’s position.

He is currently the subject of another investigation, this one related to bribery. He has been accused of ordering the delivery of gold bars worth 16 million baht to a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) overseeing an investigation into earlier allegations of wrongdoing.