Students reject lottery machines
Forty members of the New Generation Kids Don't Gamble network yesterday rallied outside the Finance Ministry calling on the government to scrap its lottery-vending-machine scheme.
The group submitted a letter stating its objections to Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lekuthai via his adviser Sakda Buranapong at 10am. Members also performed a symbolic return to the ministry of some 30 black gift boxes bearing signs reading: “Take back the lottery vending machines.” The government has touted the scheme as a “New Year gift” to all Thais.
Ramkhamhaeng University student Pornpen Thianpaisal, the network’s coordinator, said the group wanted the government to know that young people don’t appreciate a gift that creates vice, false value and social problems, nor do they believe the scheme will solve the problems of overpriced lottery tickets or underground betting. They also urged the ministry to spend lottery money to rehabilitate gambling addicts and launch a public campaign against gambling. They would fight against this scheme until the end, she said, warning of the possibility that it could eventually lead to legalisation of soccer betting and casinos.
