The thai lotto is one of the few forms of legal gambling in Thailand. It is held twice a month, on the first and 16th, and is played by over 19 million Thais, or 28.6% of the country’s population. It is managed and organized by the Government Lottery Office (GLO), which prints the tickets, sells them to wholesalers, and distributes them to over 14,700 authorized lottery venues around the country. The GLO also offers a variety of online services to help players track their numbers and winnings.
Each thai lotto ticket features a six-digit number and is printed on special yellow, thin, smooth paper. The paper has a two-tone watermark of a Wayupak, the mythical bird of Thailand, and contains two types of silk thread – one that can be seen with the naked eye, and another that is visible only under ultraviolet light. In addition, the paper is coated with chemicals that cause it to bleed or stain when exposed to a drop of bleach. To further deter counterfeiting, the paper is embedded with metal, which can be detected by a magnet.
Lottery winners must submit their winning tickets and proof of identification to the GLO headquarters in Bangkok. If the prize amount is less than 20,000 baht, the winner can claim their prize on the same day. If the prize is more than 20,000 baht, the winner must present their ticket together with their proof of identity and a bank account number to receive the prize. Winners who are not Thai citizens must bring their passport when claiming their prizes.
The lottery is a popular form of entertainment in Thailand, with 52% of women playing regularly. Its winning possibilities are higher than those in European and American lotteries, although the top payout is relatively low. The odds are much higher for single digits than multi-digit numbers, and the chances of winning are higher for the second tier prizes than the top prize.
If you win the thai lotto, you’ll get the money in the form of a cheque. If you’re a foreigner, you’ll have to pay a 0.5% tax on your winnings. If you don’t want to wait for your prize, you can choose to collect it in person at the GLO headquarters in Bangkok. If you’re not a Thai citizen, you’ll need to bring your passport and a copy of your ID.
The total revenue from the thai lotto is divided into several sectors. Prize money accounts for 60%, while the remaining 20% is funneled into the treasury and other state-related purposes. The remainder is divided among street vendors, ticket wholesalers, and foundation, association, and organization discounts. The draw chairman is a member of the government, and the GLO has an extensive prize claim process to ensure that winners are able to receive their prize money in a timely manner. In case of a dispute, the winner can appeal to the court. In addition, the GLO can request an independent examination to verify a claim.
