A former senior official of Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) surrendered to investigators late Friday night to formally acknowledge charges in a high-profile bribery case. The case is alleged to be connected to a wider network linked to former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, a prominent and often controversial figure in Thai law enforcement. Both the former NACC official and Pol Gen Surachate have strongly denied all allegations.
According to Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and deputy head of the special investigation team, authorities conducted coordinated searches at 11 locations related to the case. These searches were part of an ongoing investigation into alleged bribery involving gold bars reportedly given to NACC commissioners in exchange for favorable actions.
One of the key locations searched was the home of a former NACC expert and subcommittee member. During the search, police seized 120 baht-weight of gold bars along with a large number of documents. Investigators stated that the seized items will undergo further examination to determine their origin, ownership, and possible connection to the alleged bribery scheme.
Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat also confirmed that Pol Gen Surachate appeared before investigators on Friday night to formally hear the charges against him. After being fingerprinted and questioned, he denied any wrongdoing. Authorities released him without detention, and he returned home in the early hours of the morning. The former NACC official followed a similar process, reporting to police late on Friday night, denying the charges, and being released around 3 a.m., according to police statements.
The case centers on allegations that on September 1, 2024, Pol Gen Surachate ordered a subordinate to deliver 246 baht-weight of gold bars to an NACC commissioner. The alleged handover reportedly took place at the Southern Association on Kanchanaphisek Road in Bangkok. Investigators believe this transaction was intended to influence decision-making within the anti-corruption body, a claim that has intensified public scrutiny due to the NACC’s role as a watchdog institution.
The unfolding investigation has drawn significant public attention, as it involves senior figures from both law enforcement and an agency tasked with combating corruption. Legal experts note that cases involving alleged bribery of anti-corruption officials can have serious implications for public trust, regardless of the final outcome.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that all individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Further questioning, forensic analysis of seized evidence, and review of financial and communication records are expected in the coming weeks as investigators work to clarify the facts surrounding the allegations.
