Boonruwee is reluctant to investigate the chaotic lottery case in Sukhothai Province and refuses to take up the matter brought by Aunt Saiyan, citing Supreme Court rulings that purchasing lottery tickets above the official price does not constitute a legal injury sufficient to file a lawsuit. He feels sympathy but cannot provide assistance.
At 11:00 a.m. on 10 June 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Boonruwee Yomjinda, a party-list Member of Parliament and leader of the Ruamjai Thai Party, serving as Vice Chairman of the Consumer Protection Commission of the House of Representatives, stated at the Parliament building that he received a petition for justice from Mrs. Saiyan Dokmai, a resident of Sawankhalok District, Sukhothai Province, who won the Government Lottery first prize, number 173770, for the draw on 1 June 2026, but was deceived by a neighbor who took the lottery tickets claiming they were not winning tickets, requesting assistance to investigate and provide justice.
He expressed sympathy for Aunt Saiyan and wished her to recover her first prize winnings but said he could not take up the case for investigation because the law states that Aunt Saiyan’s purchase of the lottery tickets was illegal, as it involved buying tickets above the official price of 80 baht. Therefore, those who knowingly participate in or support buying overpriced tickets are considered to have committed a civil offense, and as such, are not legal victims with the authority to file lawsuits. The Supreme Court rulings 5625/2014 and 577/2018 specify that civil and criminal fraud lawsuits cannot be filed because Aunt Saiyan is not a legal victim. Furthermore, this also violates Section 39 of the Government Lottery Office Act.
“This case is a matter of fate overshadowed by karma, as the Supreme Court rulings and the Government Lottery Act create a legal barrier. If I were to take the case, I could be charged with ethical violations for supporting illegal acts, so I cannot provide assistance—only sympathy. The responsibility lies with the Government Lottery Office for failing to control ticket prices at 80 baht,” he said.
Regarding how Aunt Saiyan’s case will conclude, Boonruwee said it depends on the police. Although it may involve embezzlement or fraud, whether charges will be filed is uncertain due to the Supreme Court’s rulings that buying tickets illegally above the official price cannot be the basis for legal action. It is up to the police and prosecutors to decide whether to proceed. His role is to uphold legislative principles, the law, and Supreme Court decisions, despite his personal sympathy and belief that Aunt Saiyan genuinely won the first prize and is not involved in a scam. He regrets not being able to provide justice by accepting the case for investigation, as the transaction involved buying lottery tickets above 80 baht, even though in reality the 80-baht price is not effectively enforced.