Three-digit Lotteries Postponed Indefinitely

[george]

Issuing of two and three-digit lotteries postponed indefinitely after Govt withdraw lottery bill

BANGKOK: -- The government withdraw Thursday bill to amend the Government Lottery Act for further reviewing, Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula said.

The withdrawal of the bill at the second day of the National Legislative Assembly indefinitely postponed issuing of two and three-digit lotteries.

Pridiyathorn told reporters briefly that he decided to withdraw the bill as it has not yet had measures to protect the young from buying the lotteries.

The deputy prime minister earlier in the day said that two and three-digit lotteries would be delayed indefinitely pending scrutinising in the National Legislative Assembly.

At first the government delayed the issuing of the lotteries to December 30, but the NLA has not yet decided on whether the lotteries should be legalised or not.

-- The Nation 2006-11-30

[bannork]

Issuing of two and three-digit lotteries postponed indefinitely after Govt withdraw lottery bill

BANGKOK: -- The government withdraw Thursday bill to amend the Government Lottery Act for further reviewing, Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula said.

The withdrawal of the bill at the second day of the National Legislative Assembly indefinitely postponed issuing of two and three-digit lotteries.

Pridiyathorn told reporters briefly that he decided to withdraw the bill as it has not yet had measures to protect the young from buying the lotteries.

The deputy prime minister earlier in the day said that two and three-digit lotteries would be delayed indefinitely pending scrutinising in the National Legislative Assembly.

At first the government delayed the issuing of the lotteries to December 30, but the NLA has not yet decided on whether the lotteries should be legalised or not.

-- The Nation 2006-11-30

The government are in a real bind on this one.

If they go ahead with the lottery they're accused of losing the moral highground, pandering to the addictions of Thais, but if they cancel it they're accused of letting revenue fall back into the hands of the underground mafia, as well as incurring the wrath of 30 million punters.

I know Thais earning 6,000 baht a month who spend 2,000 on that on the lottery. I understand it's their only hope of getting rich and I understand they enjoy the thrill of picking the numbers and groaning every 2 weeks when they've just missed the jackpot by a whisker.

But couldn't some scheme be devised whereby a person is limited to the number of tickets they could buy?

[konangrit]

Fantastic news for criminal underground lottery gangs. Well done to the defenders of Thai morality on such an intelligent concept as prohibition, works every time.

[Jai Dee]

DPM Pridiyathorn refused to consider the 2&3-digit lotteries for three straight periods

M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, indicated that the relaunch of two-and three-digit lotteries would be postponed indefinitely if the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has not finished considering the Government Lottery Act by December 30th, 2006.

M.R. Pridiyathorn said he did not know whether or not the two-and three-digit lotteries would be limited beyond two periods of issuance as declared earlier. The decision was left to the NLA's consideration on the draft of the 1974 Government Lottery Act. In addition, he insisted that he never planned to consider the lottery issue for three consecutive periods.

M.R. Pridiyathorn also dismissed the notion that the Auditor General and Assets Examination Committee (AEC) member, Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka (จารุวรรณ เมณฑกา), commented on the possibility that some committee members might resign if the NLA has approved the draft of the 1974 Government Lottery Act.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Police to be stricter in arresting underground lottery operators

The Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak Juthanont, has commanded all police units to be more rigorous in arresting underground lottery operators and inspecting the financial transactions between Thailand and other countries to prevent foreign underground lottery from emerging.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak has assigned police officers to be particularly stringent between December 1st and 16th, as the government has postponed the dates to announce the two-and three-digit lotteries. Therefore, there is a high tendency that more people will take a bet on underground lottery during this moment.

People are asked to cooperate with the police by informing of any illegal lottery activities, and the wrongdoers will be prosecuted accordingly. Police have been ordered to inspect for underground lottery along the border areas of the country.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak has also reminded the officers to arrest the lottery vendors who are selling the lottery tickets at unusually high prices. In addition, underground lottery operators will be on a blacklist if they get caught by the authority.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 December 2006

[hammered]

An issue as controversial and divisive as this may actually be better left to the next elected government. Maybe parties could even make their position on the issue known before the election.

The current government would probably serve the country well by getting the new constitution set up , insuring the smooth running of the economy, doing as much as possible to insure socail cohesion nationwide and arranging the next round of elections.

[Jai Dee]

AEC to continue inspecting the irregularities of the 2-3 digit lottery

President of the Asset Examination Committee (AEC) Nam Yimyam (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม) revealed that AEC will continue inspecting the allocation of two-and three-digit lottery income. However, it will reconsider the matter after the government has reached a clear conclusion on the amendment of the Government Lottery Act.

Asked whether the amendment draft of Government Lottery Office (GLO) Act can grant pardon to the executives in the Thaksin administration who legalized the lotteries, Mr Nam said Article 2 of the Criminal Code states clearly that if a law was amended, offenders would be free of charges made against them. AEC has been investigating cases concerning irregularities found in the allocation of two-and three-digit lottery income such as the spending of lottery money as donation to a temple at the beginning of last year.

Meanwhile, Udom Fuangfung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), chairman of a subcommittee inspecting the distribution of two-three digit lotteries, said the subcommittee will continue probing the matter. Neither the government’s idea to delay the amendment nor the suggestion of some members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to set up a panel to study pros and cons of the two-and three digit lotteries do not affect the subcommittee’s investigation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

NLA praises the govt on withdrawing the controversial bill to legalize two-three digit lottery

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) praised the government's decision to withdraw the controversial bill to legalize two-three digit lottery yesterday.

Ms. Kanchana Silpa_acha (กัญจนา ศิลปอาชา), a NLA member, expressed her gratitude to the government in hearing the voice of the majority. The critics and the government holds the same view in regards to the belief that the legalization of two-three digit lottery will lead to an increase in the number of young gamblers.

NLA members would like this particular issue to become a model of the government’s performance under Democracy.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 December 2006

[PREM-R]

So 30,000,000 Thai 'punters' will just stop gambling? 55555 Enter the Mafia/Police, Chinese money lenders etc. to fill the gap.

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Bavornsak today clarifies two-three digit lotteries to AEC

Former General Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Bavornsak Uwanno(บวรศักดิ์ อุวรรณโณ), today clarifies two-three digit lotteries to the subcommittee of the Asset Examination Commission (AEC).

At 10.00 hours at the Office of the Auditor General, Mr. Bavornsak gave his account of details regarding the two-three digit lotteries to AEC subcommittee.

Mr. Udom Fuangfung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), chairman of a subcommittee inspecting the distribution of two-three digit lotteries, said that his team needs the details from Mr. Bavornsak as he was the general secretary to the Cabinet when the matter was proposed to the Cabinet for consideration.

This afternoon, AEC members will have an audience to His Majesty the King in occasion of HM's 79th birthday anniversary.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 4 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Banharn today gave accounts of two-three digit lottery to AEC

Banharn Silpa-archa (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา), Chart Thai Leader, will meet with the subcommittee of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) this morning to provide accounts of the two-three digit lottery.

Mr. Udom Fuangfung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), chairman of a subcommittee in charge of the investigation of the distribution of two-three digit lotteries, said that Mr Banharn has been invited to give his accounts when he was the Finance Minister back then.

He said that earlier the AEC subcommittee had invited Former Prime Minister and present Chairman of the Democraty Party Advisory Council Chuan Leekpai (ชวน หลีกภัย) to explain officials’ responsibilities related to the lottery.

Aside from giving details of the two-three digit lottery, Mr Banharn will give his open account of the land procurement of Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra (คุณหญิงพจมาน ชินวัตร) as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 7 December 2006

[Buckwheat]

The government are in a real bind on this one.

If they go ahead with the lottery they're accused of losing the moral highground, pandering to the addictions of Thais, but if they cancel it they're accused of letting revenue fall back into the hands of the underground mafia, as well as incurring the wrath of 30 million punters.

I know Thais earning 6,000 baht a month who spend 2,000 on that on the lottery. I understand it's their only hope of getting rich and I understand they enjoy the thrill of picking the numbers and groaning every 2 weeks when they've just missed the jackpot by a whisker.

But couldn't some scheme be devised whereby a person is limited to the number of tickets they could buy?

Spot on

[Jai Dee]

Department of Skill Development to arrange training for ex-lottery dealers

Following a policy initiated by Minister of Labour Abhai Chanthanachulaka (อภัย จันทนจุลกะ) to help lottery dealers who are now out of job, Director-General of the Department of Skill Development Md.Somkiat Chayasriwong (สมเกียรติ ฉายะศรีวงศ์) said he has instructed 64 provincial skill development centers and 12 institutes across the country to figure how many jobs in their areas are available for the unemployed lottery dealers, especially the blind. He also called for them to arrange training on vocational skills to meet the needs of these ex-lottery dealers.

The training, with courses ranging from a week to a month, is categorized into two groups including skilled work and labour work. Skilled work consist of creating artificial flowers, Thai-style massage, and cooking. Labour work are those such as welders, and mechanics.

The department has yet been informed of the number of applicants interested in attending the training course. Md Somkiat said that the department can arrange special training courses for applicants interested in other areas of work.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 7 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

AEC received national lottery info. from Chart Thai leader Banharn

Chart Thai Party leader and former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa delivered the information regarding the national lottery to the subcommittee of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) at the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand at 10 AM today (Dec 7). The committee also required the information when Mr. Banharn was in charge of the Finance Minister’s position.

Referring to the rumors that a spouse of certain ex-prime minister was buying a piece of land illegitimately, Mr. Banharn said his wife has never conducted such business because she does not have any knowledge on this field. He added that it would be appropriate for him to give the answer to the AEC directly.

AEC subcommittee chairman Udom Fuangfung said Democrat adviser and former prime minister Chuan Leekpai also submitted the information like Mr. Banharn. Mr. Udom said the main issues that need to be addressed include the way the past governments administered the country, the inspection on different agencies in relation to the two-and three-digit lotteries, and the purchase of land in Ratchadapisek by Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, the wife of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 7 December 2006