Transcript of the above video: 

So we are coming ever closer to election day here in Thailand - that's set for February 8th - and boy is there a lot going on around here. It's just the news just kind of spins around us. I'm going to jump in here. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: PP refutes accusations of secret deal. Now for those who are unaware, on the title, "Big Joke" refers to former Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, who I've been covering for quite some time since his rise within the ranks of the Immigration Bureau all the way to the top, and all the major changes he made back in 2017 and '18, and then his rather dramatic fall and re-rise back into the police ranks, after being in the wilderness for a while and then he fell back out again and we covered that as well. That said, quoting directly: "The People's Party has denied allegations of a secret political deal with Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, dismissing claims that it had promised him the post of Deputy Prime Minister in exchange for securing 10 MPs in Southern Thailand." Quoting further: "Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the Party's Deputy leader, was responding to repeated criticisms by Chuvit Kamolvisit" - so for those who are unaware, between "Big Joke" and Chuvit, I don't know who has gotten more headlines in the sort of Pantheon of Thai politics, public policy, law and public policy than these two, at least in the 18 years I've been out here. Between these two guys; there that great scene. You know what, I might make the thumbnail for this video, “between the two of you, you need to take a reporter”- there's a scene from the movie L.A. Confidential over Jack Vincennes and Ed Exley run off to try to solve a murder and they are both kind of known for being in the papers; they're kind of high-profile policeman. That was kind of Surachate Hakparn, that's who he was. Now Chuvit's background is a little more colourful. He came from the massage sector it is my understanding and he has all kinds of stories. If you listen to him, he can tell you all kinds of things about that sector. But my point being is between these two guys, I don't know who is going to get more headlines. That said, quoting further: "Chuvit Kamolvisit who has accused the PP of striking a covert agreement with the former Deputy National Police Chief should the Party form the next Government. Mr. Viroj said he had previously respected Mr. Chuvit's criticisms, including his remarks on the Party's past political decisions, and had even publicly thanked him for his candour. However, he said Mr. Chuvit had continued to circulate allegations that had already been publicly clarified by People's Party, prompting doubts about his motives."

I urge those who are watching this video, if you are interested in the subject matter go read that article in detail because they go on to sort of say, "Hey is he really making this, is this sort of a good faith criticism?” I think seems to be the kind of implied message of the overall article, or is this just some sort of political chicanery?

For those who again follow Thai politics, Mr. Chuvit is prone to let's say, hyperbolic rhetoric. I remember some of his rhetoric going back a couple years ago involving the whole Cannabis issue and there were some questions, "why do you have a problem with that, when you have your own?" It was a kind of an odd situation, but it's interesting. I mean the thought of Surachate Hakparn back in the public space as Deputy Prime Minister is an interesting notion to say the least. I'm kind of curious where he, if this is real, and again there seems to be some argument as to the veracity on this, but then my question would be how is he coming up with 10, I don't know how he magically produces 10 MPs out of the South, that would be my question. I don't know. Maybe there are things I don't know, but I have been watching Big Joke for a while now, and he appears to be what he appears to be, former National Police Chief, former Head of the Immigration Bureau. 

That being said, it's interesting to sort of speculate as to what is going to happen. I'm sure we are going to have a far better idea of how this is all going to play out following the elections on February 8th, and we will certainly be keeping you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.