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Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has made a dramatic appearance before Thailand’s Parliament, claiming that more than 30 police officers are linked to illegal online betting networks. The high-profile testimony, lasting nearly three hours, took place before the House Committee on State Security, Border Affairs, National Strategies and Reforms, led by MP Rangsiman Rome.
According to Surachate, who once held one of the most powerful roles in the Royal Thai Police, he presented concrete proof in the form of bank transaction records that allegedly show direct transfers from gambling websites into the personal accounts of serving police officers. These documents, he said, expose the financial connections between law enforcement members and online betting operators who have profited from illegal gaming platforms across Thailand.
Surachate stated that the evidence had been previously sent to the national police chief, Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, in August 2024. However, after no investigation or disciplinary action followed, he decided to submit the documents to Parliament to ensure transparency and accountability. His decision to go public, he explained, stemmed from a desire to uphold integrity within the force, rather than to tarnish its image.
Among the individuals implicated is a senior police general identified only by the initial “T”. Surachate alleged that money transfers were traced not only to this general but also to the accounts of his wife, brother, and sister. The former deputy chief emphasized that the financial records could not be dismissed as mere coincidence, claiming they form part of a broader pattern of corruption involving officers tasked with dismantling online gambling operations.
In a statement during the hearing, Surachate said he was speaking as a private citizen following his dismissal from the force. He insisted his motivation was rooted in a sense of justice, noting that the alleged corruption within the police ranks damages public trust. “I am not attacking the police institution,” he clarified, adding that his past remarks describing the police as “the biggest criminal organisation” were aimed solely at corrupt elements within the 200,000-member force, not the entire institution.
Surachate also accused Kitrat of attempting to isolate him within the police community after his comments became public. He reiterated that his goal is not personal revenge but to expose misconduct that undermines the credibility of Thai law enforcement.
Committee chairman Rangsiman Rome confirmed that the panel will review the evidence and summon the accused officers for questioning. He said the committee takes the allegations seriously and intends to determine whether state officials violated the law by accepting funds from illegal betting syndicates.
The case adds another layer to Thailand’s ongoing struggle with corruption in law enforcement and the expanding influence of online gambling. If proven true, the accusations could mark one of the largest integrity scandals in recent Thai police history, further fueling public demands for transparency and reform within the national police system.
