The newly appointed nationwide police chief, Police Genera; Torsak Sukvimol, sought clarification from deputy national 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 photograph of him shaking hands with Big Joke gained consideration on social media yesterday.
Reports within the media instructed 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 stated that he contacted Big Joke after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced considerations that the week’s events would possibly negatively influence the status of the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Rumours circulated that the police search at Big Joke’s house was an try to tarnish his reputation ahead of the new police chief’s appointment on September 27. Both Pol. Gen. Reliable 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 isn’t a private battle between them and that they are in discussions about the means forward for the police force.
“I was fully unaware of the house search, which is why I had to communicate to him to make clear that attempts were being made to set us against one another in the course of the nomination process.”
Pol. Gen. Torsak confirmed that the circulating picture was taken after their assembly.
In associated information, political activist and ex-senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana requested that the Office of the Ombudsman search intervention from the Administrative Court concerning 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 in opposition to Pol. Gen. Torsak’s nomination. During the assembly, PM Srettha, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Police Commission underneath the RTP, proposed Pol. Gen. Torsak for the highest police role. 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 comparable sentiments, which led to his pursuit of a courtroom ruling on the appointment, Bangkok Post reported.
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