People gathered in front of Finance Ministry, calling for govt to permit the sales of 2-and 3-digit lottery

Representatives of legal lottery distributors are gathering in front of the Ministry of Finance, pressuring the government to legalize the sales of legal lottery once again, starting next month.

The number of demonstrators is gradually increasing in front of the ministry. They are calling for the officials to give a clear statement on the distribution of the two-and three-digit lottery.

However, if their demand has not been met, they are intent to keep on pressurizing the Finance Ministry.

The security around the demonstration is tight as the entrance of the ministry has been secured.

Officers have been prepared to tackle possible disordered events.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 January 2007

Pro-lottery rally looking to prolong

A group of protestors who demand the government to legalize the two and three-digit lottery are prepared to prolong the rally.

The rally has continued since morning as sellers of two and three-digit lottery are pressuring the government to work out the lottery issue. They want the government to permit them to sell the legal lottery once again, starting at the beginning of next month. They claim that the ban has caused them financial difficulties.

The leader of the Yellow Pigeon Group, Mr. Worawut Kamonwittayanon, stated that if the government decides to abolish the two and three-digit lottery, it has to abolish other types of lottery as well. He further criticized the government that it should not allege that the two and three-digit lottery is leading youths astray. Therefore, if the government wants to solve this problem, the laws have to be amended accordingly, and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has to consider the draft impartially because it could discredit the government as a consequence.

Meanwhile, protestors in front of the Ministry of Finance are intent to hold the rally till Friday, and tomorrow, more lottery sellers from other provinces such as Chiang Rai and Nakhon Ratchasima will join the group. The group also commented on the case where the Department of Employment and the Ministry of Labour are distributing employment leaflets to them.

According to the leaflets, over 200,000 positions are open. The group said the government however could not reassure them that they will actually have the jobs following the training courses.

Furthermore, many lottery distributors are elders and disabled people, and not many work agencies would want to employ them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 January 2007

Why are police talking about possible disorder?

Why is there a previously unknown group called the Yellow Pigeon Group?

Is anyone in the area? How many protesters are there?