Thailand’s national lottery (Thai:
The lottery is a popular pastime in Thailand, with many people buying tickets for the chance to win a substantial sum of money. The odds of winning the top prize in thai lotto are one in a million, which is a very favorable rate of return in comparison to other national lotteries. In addition, the government has made great strides in ensuring that the lottery is a fair game for all. However, despite these advancements, players should still be cautious when purchasing lottery tickets.
Most Thais take a superstitious approach when choosing lottery numbers, attempting to find hidden messages in their daily surroundings. Numbers in tree bark, the number of spots on a cat’s fur (a giant snake is representative of the number five, and a small snake represents six), rats (linked to the number one) and other omens are viewed as signs that a certain number should be purchased. In this way, the lottery is seen as a form of divine intervention.
Although this type of superstition is not as prevalent as it once was, it remains a common practice among the Thai population. Some players may visit a temple or shrine to ask for the right numbers, and others may consult fortune tellers or monks for advice. Some people even visit the gravesite of a revered monk in the hope of gaining some hints as to which digits will do the trick.
Each thai lotto ticket contains a six-digit number, which is printed on special yellow, thin, and smooth paper. To discourage counterfeiting, the paper includes a two-tone watermark of a mythical bird called Wayupak. The paper is also coated with chemicals, so that drops of bleach will cause the number to stain.
The drawing for the main prize takes place on the first and 16th of every month. First prize winners must match all six digits correctly in order to receive 6,000,000 baht. The second prize winners are those who match three digits correct. There are 165 prizes in total. The next two prizes are for those who match four and five digits respectively. The final prize is for those who match only the last two digits. Winners must bring their winning ticket, a valid identification document, and bank account details to claim their prizes. Prizes of 20,000 baht or less can be claimed immediately at an authorized retail venue. Larger prize amounts must be claimed at the GLO headquarters in Nonthaburi. Winners who are not citizens must present a valid passport in order to claim their prize.
