The Thai lottery draws two times each month on the 1st and 16th, with a grand prize of up to 3 million baht (USD 99,000). It’s one of only two forms of legal gambling in Thailand, and it is played by over 19 million people; 28.6% of the country’s native population. The lottery is a vital component of local culture, a revenue generator for organizers, and an economic stimulus for the community. The promise of winning a big prize fuels the imagination and fosters a sense of hope for many. It also reveals the complex web of interwoven beliefs, superstitions and imagination that comprise lottery culture in Thailand.
The giddy smile playing at the corners of Bom’s mouth as he explains his lottery number selection strategy offers a window into some of the mysterious forces that drive lottery participation in Thailand. His method is meticulous, and evidently follows a well-practiced ritual. However, to an outsider it’s difficult to grasp the full complexities of this elaborate process.
Bom’s personal lottery strategy is only one of many tactics that a player can employ to improve their chances of a win. Other methods include observing a negative event and selecting numbers corresponding to that event, like car accidents or celebrity deaths. Many players also consult online gurus who publish cryptic lottery formulas and tips that they claim can help increase their odds.
For many Thais, the lottery is not just about a chance for financial fortune; it’s also a way to connect with a higher power. Buddhists will often visit temples to make merit and glean lottery numbers from monks, a practice that reflects long-held belief systems that good deeds are rewarded with luck.
Lottery tickets in Thailand are printed with six-digit numbers and include a series of anti-counterfeiting features. The tickets are sold in pairs and cost 80 baht per pair, or 160 baht for a full set of six tickets. Purchasing one ticket allows the holder to potentially win the grand prize, while purchasing a full set of six tickets doubles the odds of winning the jackpot. While foreigners are permitted to play the Thai lottery, they can only purchase tickets within the country, and must be in Thailand for the duration of the draw. They can also not share their winnings with anyone outside of the country.
