reader Posted April 7, 2019 Posted April 7, 2019 From The Nation (7 Apr.) Headline-making Police Lt Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has lost his job as head of the Immigration Police in a transfer to the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre. National Police Chief Chakthip Chaijinda signed the order on Friday night and by Saturday Surachate’s Facebook and Twitter accounts had been closed, while the Immigration Bureau Facebook page was also offline. No reason has been given for his sudden demotion. Rarely out of the headlines as he traversed the country tackling different cases, the high-profile Surachate was best known for his weekly round-ups of foreigners for overstaying their tourist visas. He also went after central African scammers as part of his “Good guys in, bad guys out” campaign. He was in the international spotlight for first detaining Rahaf al-Qunun, the Saudi woman fleeing alleged abuse by her family, and then reversing an order to deport her. He was font and centre in the matter of Bahrain-born Australian Hakeem al-Araibi, who was also detained by Thai police in a tug-of-war between Australia and Bahrain. Surachate, the son of a career policeman, was born in Songkhla in 1970. After joining the force, he quickly rose through the ranks to command a station there and moved to Bangkok to head the 191 task force. He spent a time with the tourist police, coinciding with his rise to fame, before landing the top job at the Immigration Bureau last year. He has been closely linked to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30367296 Quote
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reader Posted April 9, 2019 Author Posted April 9, 2019 From The Nation (9 Apr.) In second transfer within a week, new civilian post created for ousted immigration bureau chief THE HIGH-PROFILE former Immigration Bureau chief, Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn, once considered a rising star in the police force, was shockingly transferred yesterday to a newly created civilian post. His designation as special adviser attached to the Prime Minister’s Office only fuels more speculation about his fate. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as head of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), issued an order dated yesterday transferring Surachate from Royal Thai Police to a civil servant in the Prime Minister’s Office. According to the order, published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, Surachate is among state officials who have been moved to other jobs because they are undergoing investigation or have problems regarding personnel. The order said the NCPO saw it fit to add Surachate’s name to the list, but did not say why. The NCPO order said the prime minister would seek royal endorsement for Surachate’s new post. The Cabinet “acknowledged” the order at its weekly meeting yesterday, Deputy Government Spokesperson Colonel Taksada Sangkachan said. The list of transferred state officials, to which Surachate’s name was added, dates back to May 2015 – a year after the NCPO took power after a military coup. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367441 Quote
reader Posted April 19, 2019 Author Posted April 19, 2019 From Khaosod English (19 Apr.) BANGKOK — A former border police commander has been named head of the immigration bureau, replacing ex-cop Surachate Hakparn whose downfall remains a topic of speculation. Maj. Gen. Sompong “Big Oud” Chingduang’s appointment was announced by deputy junta chairman Prawit Wongsuwan after a meeting with other police officials that lasted about 45 minutes. Sompong is currently in charge of the Border Patrol Police. The appointment came after Surachate was abruptly removed from all positions in the police force earlier this month without any explanation. A meeting to appoint his successor was initially scheduled for April 9, but was postponed at the last minute. The removal order did not mention if Surachate fan afoul of any laws or regulations. Gen. Prawit said today there won’t be a disciplinary inquiry into Surachate’s tenure. “There won’t be any,” Prawit, who oversees police affairs, said in response to reporters’ questions. “It’s over.” Once one of the most visible faces of the police force, Surachate has rarely been seen in public since he was transferred to civilian roles on April 6. His public Facebook profile has also been taken down. Latest media reports say the 49-year-old is “on vacation” in the U.S. The new chief of the immigration bureau did not speak to reporters today. Born to a military family in Lopburi province, Sompong joined the police after graduating from the Armed Forces Preparatory School. Sompong rose to fame in a command in the southern border region, where he was credited with capturing many secessionist militants active in the area. He was later appointed deputy head of the Crime Suppression Division, where he oversaw a number of high-profile murder cases. His other postings include the riot police, the criminal investigation unit, and – most recently – the border police. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2019/04/19/govt-names-replacement-for-big-joke/ Quote
reader Posted April 29, 2019 Author Posted April 29, 2019 From Bangkok Post (29 Apr.) Fresh from his move from the Border Patrol Police Bureau, newly appointed Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang has given assurances that his performance will be up to scratch in his new role. He told the Bangkok Post the IB's job mainly involves safeguarding national security and providing assistance to tourists. It is necessary for the IB to collaborate and share information with Interpol and the immigration authorities of other countries to keep track of foreign criminal gangs, he said. "We want to assist good tourists who have purchasing power. They bring income to the country. As for security arrangements, we focus on checking backgrounds of various people with Interpol and immigration authorities in other countries,'' Pol Lt Gen Sompong said. The current priority is to crack down on pickpockets from neighbouring countries who target both Thais and foreign travellers during festivals and other key events, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said, adding authorities had also been told to remain on high alert along border areas with natural channels through which these criminals can pass unmonitored. Continues with photos https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/1668672 Quote
