Big Joke Sends Lawyer to Sue Police Colonel Phakphumi for Defamation, Insists Not Silencing Anyone

On February 5th, 2024, at the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court on Charoen Krung Road, Police General Surat Hakpal (Big Joke), former Deputy National Police Chief, assigned lawyer Sanyaphat Samart to file a defamation lawsuit against Police Colonel Phakphumi Phitsamai, former deputy commissioner of Criminal Investigation Region 4 and close subordinate. The lawsuit stems from online media interviews. Sanyaphat stated they are filing the case after carefully reviewing statements that clearly constitute defamation, aiming to have the court determine who is right or wrong. He emphasized that Surat is not acting out of emotion or to silence anyone, but to prove his own dignity and address potential defamatory statements through legal channels. The lawyer indicated they are preparing additional lawsuits against other police personnel in the coming week, warning that those making accusations must have legally sound evidence.