Lottery ruling tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- Players of the two-and three-digit lottery, which has been put on hold, will learn tomorrow if they will get another chance to dream of hitting the giant jackpot when the Council of State makes a key ruling.

The government's legal advisory arm is set to decide if the interim government's proposed amendment to the Government Lottery Act of 1974 will help the Thaksin government escape prosecution.

The Council of State had ruled on November 16 that the Cabinet violated Article 157 of the act in introducing the new lottery in 2003 by a resolution.

Deputy Prime Minister Pridiya-thorn Devakula forwarded the amendment to the National Legis-lative Assembly so that the government could resume holding the popular lottery. But he had to withdraw the bill following strong opposition from NLA members.

The government then asked the Council of State for its opinion on whether the amendment would clear the Thaksin Cabinet of responsibility. The council appointed a panel to study the matter but its members were split. The panel has decided to forward the issue to the council for a final decision.

An Assets Examination Com-mittee team probing alleged corruption in the lottery scheme will question its last two witnesses before deciding whether to charge the Thaksin Cabinet with illegally introducing the lottery and misappropriating proceeds from its sales.

--TNA 2007-01-30

DPM Pridiyathorn: No progress on amendments to Government Lottery Act

Deputy Prime Minister revealed that he had yet received progress from the Office of the Council of State (OCS) on amendments to the 1974 Government Lottery Act.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister M.R.Pridiyathorn Devakula said that he will inform the public of the progress of the amendments as soon as OCS submits him. He also affirmed that the government is willing to abide by decisions of OCS on the matter.

The government had earlier requested OCS to draft amendments to the act especially to articles concerning the two-and three-digit lotteries.

In response to news that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will abolish the controversial two-and three-digit lotteries, M.R.Pridiyathorn said it is too soon to jump to that conclusion.

Regarding the expenditure of lottery revenue, the deputy prime minister said that Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Piboon Watanasiritham (ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม), is responsible for the matter. He added that the revised 1974 Government Lottery Act will cover issues about social welfare and elimination of gambling.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 February 2007

AEC investigation on two-three digit lottery, independent and will not be influenced by other units

Mr. Udom Feung-fung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), the chairman of the subcommittee under the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), has affirmed that the Office of the Council of State’s policy and will not affect the work of the AEC.

In response to the Office of the Council of State’s view that Finance Ministry should be allowed to legalize two-three digit lottery, Mr. Udom said that he has yet considered the details of the matter.

However, the Office of the Council of State will look into the matter again on Feb 6th. The matter in the last process will be proposed to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for consideration.

Mr. Udom said that the AEC can ask for the detail from NLA to conclude its case. There has been no reports claiming that the Officer of the Council of State's view will hamper the AEC work.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 February 2007