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NACC Probes Sombat Thorntham on Big Joke Assets Case, Old Cases Reviewed

NACC Probes Sombat Thorntham on Big Joke Assets Case, Old Cases Reviewed

Khaosod•Politics•11d ago

Reader Briefing

The NACC is intensifying its investigation into Sombat Thorntham for allegedly falsifying asset declarations related to Police General Surachate Hakparn (Big Joke) and his wife, with potential implications for previous cases.

  • •The NACC is investigating Sombat Thorntham for allegedly tampering with asset declarations of Police General Surachate Hakparn and his wife.
  • •This investigation may lead to the reopening of older cases involving Sombat Thorntham.
  • •Sombat Thorntham previously resigned as an NACC subcommittee member amidst the initial investigation.
  • •Separate allegations involve Sombat Thorntham and others in a bribery case concerning gold.
  • •Past accusations against Sombat Thorntham and another official regarding alleged corruption in a bus advertising tender were dismissed by the NACC due to the statute of limitations.

Overview

  • •On June 2, 2026, an NACC inquiry committee reviewed documents regarding allegations against Sombat Thorntham.
  • •The NACC is further investigating Sombat Thorntham concerning the alleged fabrication of asset declarations for Police General Surachate Hakparn and his wife.
  • •The investigation is proceeding due to evidence suggesting Sombat Thorntham and others improperly used documents to support asset declarations.
  • •Sombat Thorntham will be invited to provide further clarification to the NACC inquiry committee soon.
  • •If evidence of wrongdoing is found, the NACC committee will vote on the matter and proceed with legal action.
  • •Sombat Thorntham's past roles include advisor to NACC committees and a failed bid for NACC Commissioner.
  • •In late March 2024, Sombat Thorntham resigned from his position on an NACC asset scrutiny subcommittee.
  • •In late 2025, the Central Investigation Bureau pressed charges against Police General Surachate Hakparn and associates, including Sombat Thorntham, in a bribery case involving gold.

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Key Quotes

NACC Source
"If this case has grounds for wrongdoing, the inquiry committee will propose its opinion for the NACC committee to vote and proceed according to legal steps respectively."
หากกรณีนี้มีมูลความผิดคณะกรรมการไต่สวนฯ จะเสนอความเห็นให้ที่ประชุมคณะกรรมการ ป.ป.ช. ลงมติ และดำเนินการตามขั้นตอนกฎหมายตามลำดับ

Key Entities

Organization

NACC(ป.ป.ช.)ℹ️
National Anti-Corruption Commission, investigating alleged corruption and asset declaration irregularities.
B.K. P.P.P.(บก.ปปป.)
An abbreviation that likely refers to a police bureau, which submitted a case file concerning Sombat Thorntham and others to the NACC.
Office of the NACC(สำนักงาน ป.ป.ช.)
The administrative body of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, involved in handling asset declarations and investigations.
NACC Committee(คณะกรรมการ ป.ป.ช.)
The decision-making body of the National Anti-Corruption Commission that votes on investigation outcomes and legal proceedings.
Subcommittee for Scrutinizing Assets and Liabilities, Office of State and State Enterprise Asset Scrutiny 1(อนุกรรมการกลั่นกรองตรวจสอบทรัพย์สินและหนี้สิน ประจำสำนักตรวจสอบทรัพย์สินภาครัฐและการรัฐวิสาหกิจ 1)
A subcommittee of the NACC from which Sombat Thorntham resigned as a member.
NBTC Office(สำนักงาน กสทช.)
The office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, which issued the order for Sombat Thorntham to serve as a consultant.
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)(บช.ก.)
A police agency that filed charges related to bribery involving gold and a webพนัน (online gambling) case.
BMTA(ขสมก.)ℹ️
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, where Sombat Thorntham and Ms. Supa Piyachit previously served on the board and faced allegations of corruption.

Person

Sombat Thorntham(สมบัติ ธรธรรม)
An official under investigation by the NACC for allegedly falsifying asset declarations and facing potential implications in bribery and past corruption cases.
Big Joke(บิ๊กโจ๊ก)
Nickname for Police General Surachate Hakparn, whose asset declarations are part of the NACC investigation.
Police General Surachate Hakparn(พล.ต.อ.สุรเชษฐ์ หักพาล)ℹ️
The individual whose asset declarations are allegedly being falsified by Sombat Thorntham and others, and who is also implicated in a gold bribery case.
Wife(ภริยา)
The spouse of Police General Surachate Hakparn, whose asset declaration is also part of the NACC investigation.
Mr. Jatujong Panichjaroen(นายจัตุรงค์ พานิซเจริญ)
An NACC staff member accused of participating in the alleged falsification of asset declarations.
Ms. Araya Ngaamluuan(น.ส.อารยา งามล้วน)
An NACC staff member accused of participating in the alleged falsification of asset declarations.
Senator(สว.)
Members of the Senate who previously voted on Sombat Thorntham's application to become an NACC Commissioner.
Mr. Eakavit(นายเอกวิทย์)
A figure allegedly involved in a bribery case where gold was offered in exchange for consideration of a webพนัน (online gambling) case.
NBTC Commissioner(กรรมการ กสทช.)
The specific NBTC Commissioner, Mr. Somphob Purivigraipong, for whom Sombat Thorntham worked as a consultant.
Mr. Somphob Purivigraipong(นายสมภพ ภูริวิกรัยวงศ์)
The NBTC Commissioner who hired Sombat Thorntham as a consultant, amidst criticism due to Sombat's ongoing investigations.
Pol. Col. Pakpoom Phitsamai(พ.ต.อ.ภาคภูมิ พิสมัย)
A former police officer close to Police General Surachate Hakparn, accused of delivering gold as part of a bribery scheme.
Ms. Supa Piyachit(นางสาวสุภา ปิยะจิตติ)
A former NACC committee member and former Deputy Permanent Secretary of Finance who served on the BMTA board with Sombat Thorntham.
Mr. Panthep Klanarongran(นายปานเทพ กล้าณรงค์ราญ)
The acting NACC Chairman during the time the NACC committee reviewed the case of alleged corruption in the BMTA.
Mr. Vicha Mahakhun(นายวิชา มหาคุณ)
A former NACC committee member who voted on the BMTA corruption case, which was ultimately dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Wanchai Wisuttinan(พล.ต.ต.วันชัย วิสุทธินันท์)
An individual named as a co-accused with Sombat Thorntham in the BMTA corruption case dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

Law

Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2018(พระราชบัญญัติประกอบรัฐธรรมนูญว่าด้วยการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริต พ.ศ. 2018)
The governing law that sets the timeframes for anti-corruption investigations, specifying a 2-year period extendable by 1 year.

Place

Southern People's Association(สมาคมชาวปักษ์ใต้ฯ)
The location where the alleged delivery of gold from Pol. Col. Pakpoom Phitsamai to Mr. Eakavit took place.