The Thai Lottery is one of two forms of legal gambling in the Land of Smiles and takes place on the first and 16th of every month. It is administered by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) and offers a jackpot prize of up to 32 million baht. It is also one of the most popular games among Thai citizens, with a total of 19 million people playing it each month.
Unlike most lotteries, the Thai lottery does not require players to select their own numbers. Instead, the GLO pre-prints a number on each ticket sold. This helps prevent shady vendors from pursuing ‘lucky’ numbers and charging higher prices than their counterparts. Despite the pre-printed number, superstition still exists in Thailand, and many players choose their numbers based on numerology.
In order to win the grand prize, the winning ticket must match all six digits in the correct sequence. There are several smaller prizes available, including the third prize of 40,000 baht and the fifth prize of 10,000 baht. The winner of the grand prize will receive 100,000 baht in cash. The second and third prize winners will each get 20,000 baht in cash. In the past, the first prize bonus prize was 22 or 30 million baht depending on the type of ticket acquired, but these prizes were discontinued by the military government.
While the government is the main administrator of the thai lotto, there are some private organizations that sell tickets as well. These private entities are regulated by the Department of Business Development and must be registered with the GLO. They must also pay a 0.5% stamp duty to the government. The GLO will inspect their facilities and equipment before allowing them to operate the lottery.
If you’re lucky enough to win the thai lotto, you must visit the GLO office within two years of the drawing date to claim your prize. You’ll need to bring your ticket and an ID card or passport for foreigners. In addition, you must pay a 0.5% tax on winnings from the government lottery and 1% on winnings from charitable lotteries.
The first step in claiming your winnings is to present the ticket to one of the three GLO offices in Bangkok. You’ll need to sign your name on the back of the ticket and write down the date of the draw. Then, you’ll have to fill out a form to confirm your identity and provide information about yourself and your winnings. Then, you can pick up your prize money and be on your way.
