Thailand to propose ASEAN lottery

Thailand to propose ASEAN lottery

THAILAND: Thailand will propose setting up an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) lottery, minus its Muslim members, at the first regional conference of government lotteries over the weekend, media reports said on Friday.

Thailand's government lottery office hopes to persuade Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos to set up a regional lottery to raise funds for public benefits similar to the European Union (EU) lottery, said the Bangkok Post.

Thailand will host the first Informal Core Group Meeting on Cooperation of Lottery Organization conference in Bangkok on Saturday and Sunday, drawing participants from Laos, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Thai GMO chairman Somchainuk Engtrakul said Thailand would seek to be the fund's manager if the proposal is adopted.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. --DPA