Police in Thailand went after one of their own this morning when officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) paid a visit to the residence of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn in Bangkok today. The operation is tied to Surachate’s suspected involvement in illicit online gambling activities.
The Bangkok Post reported that “Operation Big Cleaning Day” encompasses more than just a simple search. Collaborating with anti-corruption unit officers and special operations commandos from the Metropolitan Police, cyber police appeared at dawn to execute their search warrant.
Upon the police’s arrival, Surachate purportedly denied anyone access to his residence, claiming his authority as the deputy chief of the Royal Thai Police. Consequently, the search squad was advised to wait for a higher-up to arrive. That eventually happened with the presence of Lieutenant General Voravat Watnakhonbancha, the CCIB commissioner, who approved the search warrant.
The surprise didn’t focus only on the police chief’s house. Investigators are also interested in learning more about the five houses he bought for his subordinates on the same property where he lives.
Raids Across Bangkok
Authorities also conducted searches in five districts of Bangkok, including Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Saraburi. They paid visits to 30 houses, including Surachate’s residence.
There are speculations about additional residences that allegedly pertain to a compact police squad residing near Surachate. These houses are suspected of being linked to an internet-based gambling platform in Laos, estimated to hold a value of THB1 billion (US$27.75 million).
After examining the financial activities within this network, CCIB law enforcement officials had accumulated sufficient proof to persuade the court to grant a search and apprehension order. This led to the raid on Surachate’s compound, as well as the interrogation of several high-ranking police officers. All reportedly worked under the deputy police chief.
The raids followed the arrest of Pongsiri Tharatchawongsuek this past July. He owns the Lamphun Warriors Football Club, which the authorities say he purchased with proceeds from an illegal gambling operation in order to launder money.
In a statement, Surachate verified that a group of five to six individuals working under him are expected to face arrest warrants due to their suspected participation in illegal gambling. He added that he is innocent, and that he believes his subordinates are innocent, as well.
Mixed Messages
The raids come just days after China gave accolades to Surachate and Thailand’s police. Last week, China awarded the Royal Thai Police the Gold Great Wall Commemorative Award at an international crime prevention conference held in Lianyungang, China. Surachate received the award on Thailand’s behalf.
The medal is part of a program the Ministry of Public Security of China established. It is awarded to foreign law enforcement officers or departments that China singles out for protecting its national interests. In the case of the Royal Thai Police, China singled it out for its “exemplary cooperation” in combating transnational crime.
Surachate, according to The Bangkok Times, is one of several high-ranking police officers in line to take over the Royal Thai Police. The current chief, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, is retiring at the end of the month, and Surachate is on a shortlist of candidates eligible for the position.
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