The newly appointed national police chief, Police Genera; Torsak Sukvimol, sought clarification from deputy nationwide police chief Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, following a police search of the latter’s residence earlier this week.
Pol. Gen. Torsak addressed inquiries after a photo of him shaking palms with Big Joke gained consideration on social media yesterday.
Reports within the media suggested that Big Joke privately met Pol. Gen. Torsak to congratulate him on his current appointment, succeeding the retiring Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas.
The incoming police chief acknowledged that he contacted Big Joke after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced considerations that the week’s occasions would possibly negatively impact the reputation of the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Rumours circulated that the police search at Big Joke’s home was an try to tarnish his status forward of the new police chief’s appointment on September 27. Both Pol. Gen. Torsak and Big Joke were candidates for the role.
Pol. Gen. Torsak firmly denied involvement in the search of Big Joke’s residence, maintaining that there is no private battle between them and that they’re in discussions about the future of the police drive.
“I was completely unaware of the home search, which is why I had to communicate to him to clarify that makes an attempt had been being made to set us in opposition to each other through the nomination process.”
Pol. Gen. Torsak confirmed that the circulating photo was taken after their assembly.
In related information, political activist and ex-senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana requested that the Office of the Ombudsman search intervention from the Administrative Court in regards to the new police chief’s appointment.
Ruangkrai’s petition is predicated on objections by Pol. Gen. Ake Angsananont, a former deputy national police chief who voted against Pol. Gen. Torsak’s nomination. During the assembly, PM Srettha, who’s the ex-officio chairman of the Police Commission under the RTP, proposed Pol. Gen. Profit for the highest police function. The attendees selected Pol. Gen. Torsak by a vote of 10 to 1.
Pol. Gen. Ake dissented, arguing that the appointment did not adjust to regulations. Ruangkrai expressed related sentiments, which led to his pursuit of a courtroom ruling on the appointment, Bangkok Post reported.
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