Former deputy national police chief of Thailand, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, has submitted evidence to a Thai parliamentary committee, alleging that over 30 police officers were paid by online gambling networks.

Surachate Submits Details Saying Over 30 Officers Got Paid by Gambling Networks

Surachate provided testimony for roughly three hours, with the evidence being submitted to Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP and Deputy Leader of the People’s Party, who serves as chair of the committee. The documents indicate that financial transactions were directed to the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), a specialized unit created to combat online gambling. 

According to Surachate, some of these funds were reportedly linked to a current Member of Parliament, while several officers received multiple transfers. Surachate further noted that a senior officer, identified as “Big T,” allegedly had over 100 transfers routed to close associates. Despite this, no disciplinary measures appear to have been taken, raising concerns about selective enforcement within the police force.

Surachate submitted the evidence as a citizen and taxpayer, asserting his right to demand accountability and systemic reform. He also pointed out that he had previously presented the same information to the current National Police chief, Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet, in August 2024, but no action was taken, which led him to escalate the matter to Parliament.

He rejected claims that he was attacking the entire police institution, clarifying that his earlier remark calling the police “the biggest criminal organisation” was aimed solely at a small group of corrupt officials, not Thailand’s 200,000-strong police force. Surachate further accused Kitrat of trying to marginalize him within the police community after his comments, emphasizing that he intended to expose misconduct rather than to tarnish law enforcement as a whole. Kitrat Phanphet declined to comment on the allegations, shaking his head when Surachate’s name was mentioned.

Commission Promises to Look Into the Matter

Rangsiman Rome explained that the commission is probing systemic reform within the police, with a focus on uncovering links between corrupt officers, political figures, and opaque financial flows. The commission plans to trace all financial transactions, summon implicated officers, and investigate associated political connections. The absence of direct representation from the National Police Office, including the national police chief, was highlighted as an obstacle to public understanding and transparency regarding the scope of the alleged misconduct.

Over the past couple of months, Thai politicians have had an increasingly harder stance against gambling in the country. One of the strongest voices of this is Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul , who recently reaffirmed his strong opposition to gambling and vowed to halt any initiatives aimed at legalizing casinos in the country.

But back to the current case – it demonstrates ongoing issues with Thailand’s police, such as insufficient oversight and opportunities for abuse. Rangsiman Rome said that the investigation will ensure that the police force operates professionally.