The Criminal Court has sentenced a schoolteacher and a lottery vendor to 6 months in prison without suspension for filing false police reports in an attempt to claim ownership of 30 million baht worth of winning lottery tickets that belonged to someone else. The verdict, handed down on July 6, 2026, closes one of the longest-running and most notorious lottery fraud cases in the country's recent history, spanning more than 8 years of legal battles.
Why This Matters:
• Financial consequences: Teacher Preecha Kraikruan must now serve his sentence after already paying 1.7M baht in civil damages earlier this year to the rightful ticket holder.
• Legal precedent: The ruling reinforces criminal liability for false police reports intended to frame innocent people in property disputes.
• Justice delivered: Retired police officer Jaroon Wimun, who actually won the jackpot in November 2017, was fully vindicated by 3 court levels and received his full 29.85M baht prize (after tax).
• No leniency: The court refused to suspend the prison term, citing the severity of attempting to destroy another person's life through false accusations.
The Long Road to Conviction
Preecha Kraikruan, a former career teacher at Thepmongkolrangsi School in Kanchanaburi province, and Rattanaporn Suphatip (known locally as "Aunt Babin"), a lottery ticket vendor, were convicted of jointly filing false criminal complaints with investigators at Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station in December 2017. They claimed Preecha had purchased 5 government lottery tickets bearing the number 533726 from Rattanaporn, which then went "missing," and accused retired police sergeant Jaroon Wimun—affectionately called Uncle Jaroon by neighbors—of stealing the tickets and fraudulently claiming the 30M baht first prize.
The Criminal Court found their entire story to be a fabrication. Court testimony and forensic evidence established that Preecha never owned the tickets, never purchased them, and had no legitimate claim to the winnings. The false allegations were designed specifically to criminalize Uncle Jaroon and force him to forfeit prize money that was rightfully his.
What the Evidence Revealed
Investigators and the Forensic Science Institute conducted exhaustive testing on the physical lottery tickets. DNA and latent fingerprint analysis found only Uncle Jaroon's prints on the slips—no trace of Preecha or anyone else. Multiple witnesses testified that Uncle Jaroon had been in possession of the tickets before and during the draw on November 1, 2017, and that he personally claimed the prize at the Government Lottery Office that same day.
The fraudulent complaint triggered years of legal warfare. Uncle Jaroon faced accusations of embezzlement and receiving stolen property, charges that could have sent an innocent retiree to prison for years. He fought back through every tier of the judicial system.
On June 4, 2019, the Kanchanaburi Provincial Court (trial court) dismissed Preecha's lawsuit, ruling that he had no standing to sue because he was never the injured party. The Court of Appeals upheld that decision, and on June 7, 2022, the Supreme Court issued a final ruling: Preecha's lawsuit was baseless, he had no legal authority to file it, and the 30M baht prize belonged entirely to Uncle Jaroon.
Financial and Civil Aftermath
Uncle Jaroon received his winnings—29.85M baht after withholding tax—deposited into his bank account shortly after the draw. Authorities temporarily froze the funds while the dispute was active, but on August 22, 2019, the Kanchanaburi court lifted the freeze unconditionally. At that point, approximately 24.35M baht remained in the account after Uncle Jaroon had withdrawn 5.5M baht for living expenses and legal fees.
The saga didn't end there. Uncle Jaroon filed a separate civil lawsuit against Preecha, Rattanaporn, and 8 other individuals who supported the false claims—including additional lottery vendors who testified on Preecha's behalf. In January 2026, facing mounting legal pressure, Preecha agreed to settle the civil defamation case by paying 1.7M baht to Uncle Jaroon. He made an initial payment of 1.62M baht and was scheduled to pay the remaining 80,000 baht days later.
Impact on Residents and Legal Culture
This case has become a cautionary tale in the legal and lottery community. Government lottery prizes are immensely popular, with the bi-monthly draws attracting tens of millions of participants. Disputes over winning tickets occasionally surface, but few have involved such elaborate schemes or reached the highest courts.
The Criminal Court's refusal to suspend the prison sentence underscores the judiciary's stance on malicious prosecution. Filing false reports is not merely a procedural violation—it is a serious crime that weaponizes state power to harm individuals. Preecha and Rattanaporn's conduct wasted public resources, tied up police and court time for more than 8 years, and subjected an innocent man to prolonged stress and financial burden.
For residents navigating the legal system, the case offers several lessons. First, forensic evidence and documentation matter immensely. Uncle Jaroon's fingerprints on the tickets, combined with credible witness testimony, formed an unshakable foundation for his defense. Second, the court system, while sometimes slow, ultimately delivered justice across all three judicial tiers. Third, false accusations carry real consequences—not just civil damages, but criminal liability and incarceration.
The Web of Participants
Beyond the main trio, the case involved a sprawling cast of officials and witnesses. High-ranking police figures, including then-Police Commissioner General Chakthip Chaijinda, weighed in publicly. Police Major General Sutthi Puangpikul, the Kanchanaburi Provincial Police Commander at the time, was reassigned amid controversy over the handling of the initial complaint. The Crime Suppression Division stepped in to untangle conflicting narratives.
Multiple lottery vendors—Phatcharida Phromta and Pananchaya Sukhphun among them—provided witness statements backing Preecha's account, yet none of their testimony held up under cross-examination. Legal teams led by prominent attorneys Sitra Biabangkerd (for Uncle Jaroon) and Worayuth Bunwongsai (for Preecha) battled through years of depositions, hearings, and appeals.
Sentencing and Next Steps
Neither Preecha nor Rattanaporn will receive probation or suspended sentences. The court cited the deliberate nature of the false accusations and the harm inflicted on Uncle Jaroon as grounds for immediate imprisonment. Both defendants will begin serving their 6-month terms shortly.
It remains unclear whether they will appeal the criminal conviction, though prior attempts to overturn rulings in this case have uniformly failed. The Supreme Court's 2022 decision already established the factual record beyond dispute, leaving little room for further legal maneuvering.
Uncle Jaroon, now more than 8 years past his fateful lottery win, has expressed relief that the final criminal case has concluded. In interviews with local media, he described the ordeal as "a nightmare that stole years of peace" but acknowledged that the courts ultimately protected his rights.
Lessons for the Lottery Community
While lottery ticket disputes do occur, the Kanchanaburi case stands out for its scale, the number of court proceedings required, and the involvement of multiple defendants. The case illustrates how greed and deception can persist even in the face of overwhelming forensic evidence.
The Criminal Court's handling of the matter reinforces the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of profession or social standing. Teachers, traditionally respected figures in Thai society, are not immune from prosecution when they abuse the legal system. Lottery vendors, who serve millions of hopeful players, face the same standards of honesty and accountability.
For residents of Kanchanaburi province and beyond, the case serves as a reminder: lottery winnings are a matter of verifiable fact, forensic science, and witness credibility. The temptation to fabricate ownership may be strong, but the judicial system has demonstrated its capacity to separate truth from fiction—even if it takes more than 8 years to reach the final verdict.
