Thailand suspends ‘Big Joke’ police officer in Daniel Sancho case amid controversy: “For now”

lThai police temporarily suspended its former deputy director, Surachate Hakparn, known as ‘Big Joke’, from the force this Thursday, April 18. He was the one who led the investigation against the Spanish chef, ‘Big Joke’ was charged with alleged money laundering related to the online betting network.

“I have ordered him to be suspended from service for the time being.” The Acting Director of Thai Police, Kitirat Panpetch, made the announcement in statements to the media today, who underlined the “seriousness of the incidents” in the context of Surchatay’s alleged involvement in money laundering for an online betting network.

Kitirat announced the decision after meeting with Thai Prime Minister Shretha Thavisinclaimed to have received a police report on the investigation of the case that pointed to Surchate and four other agents who, it said, “have committed criminal offences.”

Both Hakparn and the rest of the agents investigated are accused of accepting bribes and seeking second-guessing charges in connection with the illegal betting network, whose payout was no less than 300 million bats, that is, a little less than eight million euros.

This is not the first controversy of ‘Big Joke’

According to Thai PBS, Investigators believe there is enough evidence to investigate ‘Big Joke’, which has been in controversy in the past due to other controversies. His conflict with Thailand’s police chief is well known, with the power struggle leading the Prime Minister to remove both from their posts a few weeks ago.

The deputy director of the Thai National Police, ‘Big Joke’, was the visible face of the investigation against Daniel Sancho, Who is accused of murdering and dismembering Edwin Arrieta last August. After several months behind bars, the Spaniard faces the death penalty from April 9 and, presumably, will know his fate from May 3, which could be the death penalty in Thailand.