A Royal Thai Police disciplinary probe panel will issue a summons for suspended deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn and four other police officers to acknowledge a critical disciplinary violation accusation, deputy national chief Pol Gen Sarawut Kanpanich said yesterday.
Pol Gen Sarawut was assigned by acting national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet to chair the probe panel against the five officers accused of being connected with the BNK Master gambling website on April 18, the same day that Pol Gen Surachate's suspension order was issued.
Pol Gen Sarawut gave an update after the first panel meeting yesterday, saying that the police officers, including Pol Gen Surachate, will be summoned to meet with the panel on May 7. The date was set by a deadline given in the Audit and Monitoring Committees of Police Administration Regulations on Probe and Investigation.
The regulation ordered the acknowledgement to occur 15 days after the panel was established, or April 22 in this case.
The five officers can postpone the summons if necessary, but not more than the deadline of 270 days per the regulations, Pol Gen Sarawut said.
Regarding Pol Gen Surachate's attempt to submit a petition to probe one of the 14-panel members whom he claimed to have a personal conflict, Pol Gen Sarawut said it was up to the acting national police chief to decide on that member's qualifications.
Pol Gen Surachate said he ordered one of his subordinates to pack his stuff in his office at the Royal Thai Police and return his government car on April 19, a day after his suspension was issued.
Pol Gen Surachate also revealed that he is eyeing registering for the senatorial election, saying that he wants to work for the public's benefit as much as he can.
