Rights’ group wants lottery-scandal probe officer replaced

Achariya Rueng-Rattanapong, chief of the Help Crime Victims Club, submitted a petition at police headquarters in Bangkok.
The scandal involves a retired police officer and a teacher, who both claim ownership of the lottery tickets that won Bt30 million in the November 1 draw. The story has been in the headlines for months, and Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda, national police chief, stepped in and assigned a team to lead the investigation.
The police’s recent investigation appears to lean towards the teacher, Preecha Kraikuan, who claimed he bought but lost the winning tickets. He filed a complaint with police about the missing tickets a day after the November 1 draw and told police that a man had already claimed the cash.

Police then checked and found that retired police lieutenant Charoon Wimul had the tickets and cashed in the prize. Police earlier said that they would file charges of embezzlement or receipt of stolen items against Charoon.
Achariya told reporters after submitting the petition that the public has no trust in the investigation by police in the area. He wanted to see Pol Maj-General Suthi Puangpikul transferred out of the area for 15 days so that the scandal could be settled.
“If Suthi is removed from the area, I’m sure that the probe could be conducted in not more than a week,” he said.
Denying that he knows either Charoon or Preecha, Achariya said that he had submitted evidence that his team had gathered to Chakthip.
He said he would go to headquarters of provincial police 7th region on Tuesday to hand over important evidence on audio and video clips.
“I have never met with the lawyers of either side. What I want to do is to reveal the truth,” he said.