Lottery tickets aren’t essential, but they still need to be sold, say sellers
Lottery sellers are calling on the government to let them sell tickets at selected venues out of fear that they will be left with unsold tickets now that the Government Lottery Office has delayed the April 1 drawing to May 16.
A group of lottery sellers, more than 80 of whom have disabilities, submitted an appeal at Government House on Tuesday (May 5) asking Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to consider easing lockdown measures that prohibit the sale of non-essential items at markets, department stores and petrol stations.
“Though some of these venues have been allowed to open, only the sale of food and essential products is allowed. Lottery tickets isn’t one of them,” an unnamed representative of the group said. “Hence, we want the government to consider allowing the sale of lottery tickets at certain venues, while zoning measures can be employed to maintain social distancing.
“We also want the authorities to clearly tell the public where they can buy lottery tickets during this period, as many customers are afraid to purchase tickets at normal places for fear they may be violating the emergency regulations and may face severe penalties,” he said.
Suphon Atthawong, secretary to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, accepted the appeal and promised to present it to the Cabinet as soon as possible.