Court accepts to hear lottery case

The lawsuit was filed by the now-defunct Assets Examination Committee (AEC) accusing them of malfeasance for issuing the July 8, 2003 cabinet resolution to implement the two-and three-digit lottery.

The court has scheduled the first hearing on September 26.

Among the accused are three current ministers: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas must suspend their duties since the court accepts to hear the case against them, according to the Constitution.

Uraiwan said she accepted the court's decision and would consult with the two other ministers on suspending their duties.

Anurak said he would suspend his duty to show responsibility.

Surapong said he would join the Cabinet meeting tomorrow despite the court decision.

The three had earlier planned to seek the Constitution Court ruling whether they must suspend duties arguing that the case happened in the previous government.