Lawyer Campaigns for Disabled Lottery Quota, Accuses Politicians

At 10:00 a.m. on September 5, 2024, Sittra Biabangkerd, known as Lawyer Tum, arrived at the Thai Association for the Blind in a black pickup truck accompanied by five bodyguards wearing black SWAT vests, fake mustaches, and arm protectors. Bodyguards held umbrellas over him as he entered, and when he spotted media he said, "Media, don't shoot yet. Let me go live first, then I'll help with the case." He later asked for tissue to wipe his face.

Lawyer Tum stated he came to advocate for disabled persons' lottery ticket quotas, accompanied by advisors and blind and disabled individuals. He explained that disabled people receive government lottery quotas to sell for income, but influential figures and politicians have been taking these quotas for personal enrichment. He alleged that a former DSI complaint he filed went silent while he was imprisoned and is now hoping media attention will revive it. He emphasized the lottery quota issue involves enormous profits monthly, and he is calling for the quotas to be returned to disabled persons rather than enriching already-wealthy politicians and influencers.

When asked if his actions were motivated by seeking attention, Lawyer Tum challenged critics by asking whether the DSI wanted him to continue or stop. He maintained he is not exploiting disabled people as tools and has consistently defended their rights. Former Paralympic athlete Supachai Songpinit, a blind athlete on Thailand's national team, expressed gratitude to Lawyer Tum for raising the issue. Supachai noted that despite the sports association receiving quotas, actual disabled athletes receive no allocation, with quotas going instead to politicians and influencers. He said his evidence, including DSI and Justice Ministry documents filed over years, has seen no progress.