Big Joke: Due to present himself for new adviser role on Thursday

Former head of Thai immigration Lt-Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn is set to return to work on Thursday.

He has been on leave in the USA and was due to be back at work today.

A spokeswoman for the PM’s office said that Surachate’s team had been in touch saying that he would present himself to the Prime Minister’s office on May 2nd. 

Patcharaporn Inseeyong said that the Lt-Gen will be unable to be received at the PM’s main office so he must present himself at the office of the permanent secretary to the PM.

This is located in the government complex at Chang Wattana where the main immigration office in Bangkok is also located. 

Patcharaporn revealed that Surachate will be responsible for “public administration development” as a special adviser. 

Thai Rath said that rumors about the Lt-Gen’s removal from his police roles at immigration and the tech police were still subject to rampant rumor.

But no one in the media, at least, seems any the wiser. 

Thaivisa notes that Surachate was the poster boy of the Royal Thai Police until his sudden downfall at the beginning of this month. 

His high profile busts and public image made him the most visible and recognizable at the RTP.

His new role is in a civilian capacity and is effectively a demotion to a largely inactive post. 

Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang – formerly in charge of border security – has taken over as head of the Thai Immigration Bureau. 

Visitors to immigration at the government complex on Thursday can expect a big media presence for the arrival of Big Joke. 

Thai Visa / Thai Rath

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