From razzmatazz to sneaking in! Big Joke sidesteps press to start new role

Former poster boy of the Royal Thai Police and ex head of immigration Lt-Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn seems to have sidestepped the press to begin his new office job. 

Government spokeswoman Phatcharaporn Inseeyong confirmed that Surachate had presented himself for duty as a special adviser in the PM’s office yesterday morning. 

His arrival – expected to be a big media event and perhaps throw some light on the reasons for the Lt-Gen’s fall from grace – turned out to be a damp squib. 

Surachate will be advising on matters relating to public development at first, said the spokeswoman. After a period of time other duties may be forthcoming that suit the Lt-Gen’s skill set. 

Thai Rath had no new information saying he had sneaked into his new job.

Formerly Surachate was always featured in life-size vinyl boards advertising the latest busts and was filmed in various countries around the world making high profile arrests of criminal gangs. 

Now he is little more than a clerk at a desk in the government complex in Chaeng Wattana. 

It has been a spectacular fall from power and speculation remains rife as to why.

Thaivisa notes that there has been no suggestion of a change in the lieutenant general’s rank though an amusing typo in the Thai Rath story had promoted him to a full general.

At least we think it was a typo. 

Thai Visa / Thai Rath

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