NACC Charges Ex-Deputy Police Chief with False Asset Declaration
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has charged former deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, known as Big Joe, with filing false asset declarations and hiding five items, including 70 million baht in cash and numerous firearms. He has been ordered to respond within 15 days but has not yet appeared to clarify the allegations. The NACC says it has sufficient evidence to proceed and will submit the case for a committee vote on further legal steps.
The NACC announced that its committee voted to charge Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn with intentionally filing false asset and debt statements for himself and his spouse, hiding five assets. He must appear before the commission within 15 days of receiving the notice. Sources say he has received the letter but has not yet come to clarify the allegations, despite earlier claiming innocence and willingness to explain. The NACC said its investigation found sufficient evidence that he concealed assets including 70 million baht in cash and an increase of 170 firearms valued at over 22 million baht, which his income could not justify. To justify the cash, he allegedly fabricated a story about earning money as a broker in amulet trades, a claim investigators found false. The commission is proceeding carefully due to the volume and complexity of the case, and will submit the file for a committee vote on further legal action.
