Surachate files malfeasance in office complaint against PM

Beleaguered Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn filed a complaint today with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), accusing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of malfeasance in office over his appointment last year of Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the national police chief.

Surachate is currently fighting to return to the Royal Thai Police, after being removed from the police service over his alleged involvement in money laundering, in connection with BNK Master online gambling network.

He told the media that he decided to revive the malfeasance case against the prime minister after he learned from former police chief, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, that he had already withdrawn his own complaint against the prime minister for an unspecified reason.

Earlier, Surachate had filed similar complaint with the NACC, but eventually withdrew the complaint as it duplicated Sereepisuth’s.

The former police chief alleges that the prime minister did not adhere to the Police Act in appointing Torsak as the police chief, because the most senior officer, who should have been appointed, was Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote, with himself being the next in line, followed by Torsak.

He maintains that he has no personal grudge against the prime minister, adding that, even though the prime minister is empowered to appoint the police chief, he is, however, obliged to follow the law.

He also said he does not mind whether he is able to return to the police force, adding that he merely wants to maintain the sanctity of the law.