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Published on July 7, 2007

Forty-nine ousted Cabinet members and lottery officials have been summoned to hear indictments relating to the July 8, 2003 decision on the sale of illegal two- and three-digit lotteries, graft-buster Udom Fuangfung said yesterday.

They are obliged to report to authorities from July 23. About 10 defendants each day are expected to report to hear the charges.

Udom is the chairman of an investigative panel appointed by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to take charge of the lottery case. His panel has estimated there was Bt37 billion in damages to the state.

Under the graft proceedings, the suspects will be allowed to present rebuttals following the notification of indictments.

If the AEC rules against rebuttals then the cases will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution in the Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders.

The suspects include all 32 members of the ousted government, including deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Indicted ministers are Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Somkid Jatusripitak, Chaturon Chaisang, Korn Dabbaransi, Purachai Piumsombun, Wissanu Krea-ngam, Thamarak Isarangura, Suchart Jaovisidha, Varathep Ratanakorn, Sontaya Kunplome, Anurak Chureemas, Sora-at Klinpratoom, Newin Chidchob, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Pichet Sathirachawal, Nikorn Jamnong, Prapat Panyachatraksa, Surapong Suebwonglee, Prommin Lertsuridej, Adisai Bhodaramik and Watana Muangsook, Wan Mohammad Noor Matha, Pramuan Ruchanaseree, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Suwat Liptapanlop, Uraiwan Thienthong, Pinij Charusombat, Pongpol Adireksarn, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Pracha Phromnok and Somsak Thepsuthin.

The 17 indicted lottery officials include two incumbent and former Finance Ministry permanent secretaries, Suparat Kawatkul and Somchainuk Engtrakul.

The others are Sermsak Pongpanit, Pornchai Nutsuwan, Sutheeporn Duangto, Natawat Intuputi, Chaiwat Pasokpakdi, Kamthorn Tatiyakawee, Surasit Sangkhapong, Chairuek Ditha-amnaj, Wuthipan Wichairat, Sombat Amornwiwat and Satri Pathipasen, Amnuaysak Toonsiri, Issaraphan Snidvong na Ayutthaya, Bantoon Supakwanit and Ornanong Maneekan.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation