Fugitive defendant in lottery case detained

Surasit (file photo)

Surasit is a former director of the Government Lottery Office and one of 47 defendants in the lottery case.

Although the Supreme Court handed down an acquittal verdict for Surasit, it issued the arrest warrant and seized his Bt500,000 bond because he was a no-show.

Following his brief detention at the airport, he was taken to report and acknowledge the ruling at the high court.

Other three defendants in the case are remaining at large. They are former commerce minister Adisai Bodharamik, former finance minister Suchart Chaovisidha and former finance permanent secretary Somchainuek Engtrakul.

Adisai also won acquittal. Suchart and Somchainuek were convicted but given a two-year suspended jail term each.