If you were hoping to find out the rationale behind Friday’s mysterious dismissal of limelight-loving Lt. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn from his role as Thailand’s immigration chief, you’re going to have to wait at least one more day.
A scheduled meeting of the police commission today at which Surachate’s internal transfer was expected to be discussed was delayed when Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan failed to show up for work, reportedly suffering from a bout of food poisoning.
Aides close to Prawit were quick to insist, per Khaosod, that the deputy PM, who is known to enjoy a close friendship with Surachate, really was sick after many netizens began questioning the legitimacy of his no-show.
While Coconuts takes no stand on the issue, we’re willing to wager that the timeless popularity of stomach related-illnesses as excuses for dodging work or school might have played a role in the public’s thinking.
The meeting has since been rescheduled for 1:30pm tomorrow at police headquarters, and will be led by police Commissioner-General Gen. Chakthip Chaijinda rather than Prawit.
Junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha, meanwhile, also refused to comment on the matter when questioned by reporters at the Government house this morning, reportedly just nodding when asked about Prawit’s alleged ailment.
Meanwhile, Gen. Surachate himself resurfaced yesterday, making his first public appearance since mysteriously vanishing from social media over the weekend after being abruptly transferred out of his high-profile role by the national police chief.
Related reading: No Joke: Popular immigration chief vanishes after losing job
He was spotted making a brief visit to the Royal Thai Police headquarters to sign up for his still-undisclosed new job at the police operation center. But while Surachate seemed to be all smiles, he refused to speak or answer any of the media’s questions.
And thus the public’s curiosity regarding the transfer continues.
สงสัยว่า #บิ๊กโจ๊กหายไปไหน pic.twitter.com/T7xWCRpML7
— Lord GiGi (@lord_jone) April 6, 2019
There has, however, been plenty of speculation on the matter. One popular rumor circulating on the web is that he faces pending charges for a multitude of illegal activities. That, however, was smacked down as “fake news” today by Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Police Gen. Srivara Ransibrahmanaku, who said he has been instructed to investigate all claims against the self-styled “Big Joke,” according to PPTV.
