Ex-Subordinate Sued by 'Big Joke' for False Accusation, 20 Million Baht Damages Sought

Thai police official Surachate Hakparn, widely known as 'Big Joke', has filed a lawsuit against a former close subordinate for making false accusations and defamation, seeking 20 million baht in damages. The former subordinate had accused Mr. Hakparn of assault. On September 11, Mr. Hakparn, through his lawyer, submitted a complaint to the Criminal Court in Bangkok against his former subordinate. The charges include filing false reports to officials, causing officials to record false information in official documents, and making false criminal accusations with the intent to cause someone to be punished or to receive a heavier punishment. The alleged false accusation occurred on January 20, 2024, when the defendant allegedly intentionally committed a tort by reporting to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) that Mr. Hakparn had committed assault causing physical or mental injury. Subsequently, on August 26, 2024, after gathering evidence, the investigating officer notified Mr. Hakparn that the investigation was complete and the case file, along with their opinion, had been sent to the public prosecutor. Upon inquiry with the responsible investigator, Mr. Hakparn was informed that the investigator's opinion was not to prosecute him in the case filed by his former subordinate. Consequently, Mr. Hakparn filed this counter-lawsuit. The court accepted the complaint, assigning it case number A.2650/2569, and scheduled a preliminary hearing for the plaintiff on December 14, 2024, at 9:00 AM. In addition, on September 10, 2024, Police General Surachate also filed a civil lawsuit against the former subordinate at the Civil Court, case number P.E.2372/2569, for tort and seeking 20 million baht in damages. The Civil Court has scheduled a two-sided hearing for November 23, 2024, at 10:30 AM. Source: INN News