School teacher Preecha and lottery vendor Jeh Babin freed on bail

School teacher Preecha Kraikruan and lottery vendor Rattanaporn Suphatip–the two suspects in the 30-million-baht lottery scandal–were granted bails by the Criminal Court on a 100,000-baht surety each without condition today (March 2). 

The court did not prohibit the two from travelling abroad or giving interview to the media.

The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police this morning escorted Mr Preecha and Mrs Rattanaporn to the Criminal Court for extension of their detention as the 48-hour limit in police custody expired today.

Mr Preecha and Mrs Rattanaporn, alias Jeh Babin, were arrested in Kanchanarui on Feb 28 for allegedly filing false complaint to the police; giving false information to the police with an intent to cause others to face criminal charge; and filing complaint to the police despite knowing that an offience has not been committed.

Mr Preecha claimed he was the real owner of five lottery tickets that won first prize worth 30 million baht for the November 1, 2017 draw while Mrs Rattanaporn insisted she sold the prize-winning lottery tickets to Mr Preecha.

However, the police found their testimonies conflicted with forensic evidence and sought the court warrant for their arrests.

A CSD police source said they did not oppose the bail because both suspects gave full cooperation witht he police, adding that police would summon 10 witnesses for questioning.

Kriangkrai Nakawaree, Mr Preecha’s lawyer, insisted that his client had denied all charges.