Thailand: lottery sellers call for govt support amid crisis

Lottery sellers asked authorities to be allowed to sell tickets in the shops that are already opened following the first loosening of lockdown measures in the country.

Thailand.- A group of lottery sellers have submitted an appeal to Government House asking Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to consider loosening lockdown measures that prohibit the sale of lottery tickets.

Suphon Atthawong, Secretary to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, accepted the appeal and said he will present it to the Cabinet as soon as possible.

The appeal was filed over fear of unsold tickets after the government announced that it won’t allow the Lottery Office to resume activities until May 16 as part of Covid-19 lockdown measures.

Lottery workers claim that despite lottery tickets not being essential items, the government could allow the sale of tickets in shops that are already open to the public.

“Though some venues have been allowed to open, only the sale of food and essential products is allowed. Lottery tickets aren’t one of them,” a representative from the group told local newspaper The Nation.

“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 added.