Govt-appointed panel will work out only ‘one’ suggestion to online lottery solution

BANGKOK, 7 January 2010 (NNT) – The working group assigned by the Prime Minister to find legal ways to terminate the online lottery concession is confident to be able to make one proper suggestion within 30 days.

President of the Thailand Trade Representative Office Kiat Sitheeamorn, in his capacity of leader of the working group, stated that the team’s recommendation to be drawn up for the government would not come in choices. He also assured the panel would ensure justice for all sides.

Mr Kiat expected the Prime Minister to sign an official order appointing the working group on 8 January. The panel would then look into all related documents signed by the government, the concessionaire and other agencies concerned, as well as examine all cabinet resolutions and relevant laws.

Mr Kiat said representatives of the Government Lottery Office would be invited to testify next week. The appointed committee has been given 30 days to complete its task. The working group will comprise as its members the secretary-general of the Council of State, president of the Lawyers Council, the director of the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office, and representatives of the Office of Attorney-General, the Comptroller General’s Department and the Department of Special Investigation. The Fiscal Policy Office director will serve as secretary of the working group.

The online lottery controvery emerged after the Prime Minister announced his intention to scrap the project due to mounting concerns over social impacts. The Thai-foreign consortium, Loxley-GTech that won the right to set up lottery ticket-dispensing machines criticized the government’s plan to terminate the scheme and threatened to sue billions of baht if the contract is revoked.