Thai Police Interrogate Police Chief Linked to Illicit Internet Gaming
Authorities in Thailand arrested Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn in Bangkok on Monday night. This arrest is linked to Surachate's suspected involvement in illegal online gambling activities.
When police arrived at his residence, Surachate reportedly refused to let them in, claiming his authority as the Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police. They were told to wait for a higher-ranking officer to arrive, and soon after, Lieutenant General Voravat Watnakhonbancha, the CCIB Commissioner, gave approval for the search warrant.
Investigators are also examining five houses Surachate bought for his subordinates on the same property where he lives.
The police conducted searches in five districts of Bangkok, including Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Saraburi. They visited a total of 30 houses, including Surachate's own home.
The raids were part of "Operation Big Cleaning Day," a joint initiative with anti-corruption unit officers and special operations commandos from the Metropolitan Police, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Raids in Bangkok
There are speculations about more residences belonging to a specialized police team near Surachate. These are believed to be connected to an internet-based gambling platform in Laos with an estimated value of THB1 billion (US$27.75 million).
The CCIB team analyzed the financial activities within this network and gathered enough evidence to present in court for a search and detention order. This led to the raid on Surachate's compound and the questioning of several senior police officers. They were all said to have worked under Surachate.
The raids happened just weeks after the arrest of Pongsiri Tharatchawongsuek in July. He owns the Lamphun Warriors Football Club, and the authorities say he bought it using proceeds from an illegal gambling operation to launder money.
Surachate confirmed that around five to six individuals under his command are expected to be issued arrest warrants due to their alleged involvement in illegal gambling. He insisted on his own innocence and maintained that his subordinates were also innocent.
Mixed Reviews
The raids took place just a few days after China gave praise to Surachate and the Royal Thai Police. Last week, China awarded the Royal Thai Police the Gold Great Wall Commemorative Award during an international crime prevention conference in Lianyungang, China. Surachate received the award on behalf of Thailand.
This medal is part of a program run by the Ministry of Public Security of China and is given to foreign law enforcement officers or departments deemed to be protecting China's national interests. In this case, the Royal Thai Police was chosen for its "exemplary cooperation" in combating transnational crime.
Surachate is among several top-ranking police officers vying for the position of Chief of the Royal Thai Police, which Damrongsak Kittiprapas will be vacating at the end of the month.
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Source: www.casino.org
