NACC Charges Pol Gen Surachate Over False Asset Declarations
The NACC has charged former Assistant National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate over five false asset declaration issues, including 170 guns, bank accounts, Songkhla land, gold, and luxury watches, ordering a 15-day response.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The NACC formally charged Pol Gen Surachate over alleged false asset and debt declarations.
- Five key issues include 170 firearms, 6 nominee bank accounts, Songkhla land, gold, and 47 luxury watches.
- The accused is required to submit factual explanations and evidence within a 15-day timeframe.
- This step is not a final conviction, and the accused retains the right to legal defense.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has proceeded with asset and debt investigations regarding Pol Gen Surachate during his tenure as Assistant National Police Chief. Investigators uncovered suspicious discrepancies across five major issues, deemed substantial enough to issue formal charges while ordering the accused to submit explanatory evidence within 15 days.
The first issue involves an increase of 170 firearms between 2015 and 2021, valued at over 22 million baht, raising questions regarding income and acquisition sources. The accused claimed funds came from amulet brokerage work totaling approximately 10.9 million baht, but investigations revealed irregularities in transactions, including 70 million baht in cash placed in a safe for photographic evidence and third-party involvement transporting cash to a Bangkok amulet shop before returning it on the same day.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The second and third issues encompass a Kasikornbank account under another person's name with over 300,000 baht in turnover, allegedly used for transactions benefiting Pol Gen Surachate and his spouse, alongside six nominee accounts accumulating over 223 million baht in turnover. Furthermore, two land plots with buildings in Bo Yang, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla Province, registered and owned by his spouse since September 10, 2020, were omitted from asset declarations.
The fourth and fifth issues involve the sale of 845 baht weight of gold valued over 21 million baht backed by a deposit receipt dated July 15, 2020, which the NACC is scrutinizing for authenticity, and 47 luxury watches valued at over 60 million baht found in a condominium in Pathum Wan, Bangkok, owned by another individual. Following appraisal and the sale of 50 watches for over 61 million baht in cash, 47 watches worth approximately 60 million baht were found undeclared to the NACC.
High-ranking government official asset scrutiny under NACC regulations aims to ensure financial transparency and verify asset origins against declared holdings. Discoveries of financial trails under third-party names, nominee accounts, and evidentiary documents requiring authenticity verification highlight the complex forensic accounting procedures necessary in high-profile anti-corruption investigations.
"The issuance of these charges is merely a procedural step in legal investigations and does not constitute a final ruling of wrongdoing."
NACC Source
Source: Matichon Politics
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