Special Prosecutor Weighs Asset Seizure Petition Against ‘Big Joke’ and Associates.

Bangkok: The special prosecutor is contemplating a court request to confiscate the assets of Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakpal, known as "Big Joke", and three of his associates, which would subsequently become state property. According to Thai News Agency, on October 22, AMLO investigators petitioned the Office of the Attorney General to seize the assets of Pol. Gen. Surachet and his associates. The allegations involve organizing gambling via electronic media and money laundering linked to Ms. Thanyanan, also known as Suchanan or Minnie, and her gambling website network. The Attorney General of the Office of Special Litigation has been assigned the responsibility of reviewing the case file for asset forfeiture to the state. Reports indicate that Pol. Gen. Surachet's account contains nearly 500,000 baht. Previously, the Anti-Money Laundering Office's transaction committee resolved to seize funds from the suspects' bank accounts involved in electronic gambling and money laundering. Legal actions are being pursued aga inst those connected to the online gambling network. The petition to forfeit these assets to the state must be filed within 90 days from the date of the temporary seizure order. The funds in question were reportedly used to pay insurance premiums under life insurance contracts held by Pol. Gen. Surachet and his wife. Subsequently, three life insurance policies, valued at approximately 480,000 baht, were surrendered temporarily, in line with Section 48, Paragraph One of the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542.