The first hearing for the 47 people named in the lawsuit is set for Sept. 26, said judge Pairoj Reungrerngwong. The suit names three members of the current Cabinet--Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas.

The targets of the complaint are accused of malfeasance for allegedly mismanaging and illegally spending money gained from a 2003 lottery scheme initiated by Thaksin's government. They claimed it would lure people away from the popular illegal lottery and generate revenue for education.

The complaint alleges that irregularities in the scheme cost the state 36.9 billion baht ($1.1 billion) in financial losses. It asked the Supreme Court to order the 47 people to pay the damages.

Thai law requires all three be suspended until the case is resolved, though it does not demand that they resign.

"The charges are under jurisdiction of this the court and the plaintiffs have filed charges in accordance with law so we order the case to go to trial," said Pairoj, who heads the nine-judge panel.