KANCHANABURI: The provincial court on Thursday accepted a lawsuit filed by a teacher against a retired policeman, with first-prize lottery tickets worth 30 million baht at stake.
The case was filed by teacher Preecha Kraikruan, who sued Pol Lt Charoon Wimool for alleged embezzlement and receiving stolen goods.
The court has set dates for the hearings, with witnesses for the plaintiff to testify from March 26 to April 3. Witnesses for the defence will appear in court from April 4-19.
Mr Preecha thanked the court and said the bench's acceptance of the suit showed his case had grounds for the judicial process.
"I want the truth to be told and the wrongdoer punished," he said outside the courthouse.
The teacher and the retired policeman are locked in dispute over the ownership of a set of lottery tickets worth 30 million baht that won a first prize in the Nov 1, 2017 draw. The teacher claimed he bought the tickets, but he lost them. Pol Lt Charoon possessed them and also claimed ownership.
The two are fighting in other cases related to the tickets, including a civil lawsuit now before a court.
Pol Lt Charoon was granted bail by the court with 90,000 baht surety. (continues below)
Retired Pol Lt Charoon Wimoon (sunglsses ,second right) and his lawyer and supporters walk to the Kanchanaburi Court entrance. (Photo by Piyarat Chongcharoen)
He said before entering the courthouse that he hoped for the quick end to the dispute and displayed no concerns about the outcome of the teacher's case.
Mr Preecha's lawyer, Worayuth Boonwongsai, said he will file a report asking the Education Ministry to allow his client to return to a teaching job at Thepmongkol Rangsee School in Muang district. He was suspended from duty after the lottery conflict erupted.