Lottery agents expressed regret yesterday over the Finance Ministry plan to abolish large lottery jackpots, saying it had caused a drop in the sale of tickets.

They urged the government to keep big jackpots - or they will face a revival of underground lotteries.

Chiang Mai agent Kanchana Suwan said her shop suffered a 10 per cent drop in lottery sales for the draw yesterday - compared to usual sales of Bt500,000 - as customers heard that jackpots for two- and three-digit lotteries would be cut.

Kanchana urged the government to maintain the high jackpots, saying it would prevent a revival of the underground lottery.

PHETCHABURI : Three escaped soldiers sought

Police and military police are seeking three soldiers who escaped from a military prison in Phetch-aburi's Muang district yesterday.

The men were identified as Privates Porntip Uam-um, Wichai Saenpok and Pichai Tianchaitas.

A source at the prison suspected a prison staff member assisted the escapees. The men were reported to be in restraint chains.

Porntip was convicted of murder, Wichai of drug-related offences and Pichai of illegally detaining underage children.

Religion : Kasem: Prosecute bad monks

Privy Councillor Dr Kasem Wattanachai has suggested legal action be taken against monks if they are forced to leave the monkhood.

He said during a speech at the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre yesterday that the National Legislative Assembly should issue a law to take legal action against anyone who becomes a monk and commits a crime.

Monks are punished following the code of monastic discipline or forced to leave the monkhood, but that was insufficient, Kasem said.  "It might be time for the clergy to take action against people who disguise themselves as monks. We shouldn't allow them to give Buddhism a bad name," he said.

Survey :Most households owe 7 months pay

More than half the households surveyed in a recent study had an average debt of Bt118,000 and an average income of just over Bt17,000 in the first half of this year, the National Statistical Office said yesterday.

Most households have monthly costs of Bt14,640, or around 85 per cent of their incomes. Their average debt was Bt118,434 - nearly seven times their monthly income.

Most debts were incurred through purchases of land and homes, consumption or business investments.