The lottery, like all forms of gambling, has a complex significance in Thailand. It generates revenue for organizers, promotes entertainment and fosters a sense of hope. It also has the potential to stimulate economic activity, as winners inject their windfall into local economies. In addition, the game unites people in a common experience and fuels dreams of a life-altering fortune. But while the lottery can bring a sense of community, it can also become a source of desperation for some players, especially those who cannot afford to buy multiple tickets.
For these people, there is an underground lottery system, which operates outside of the official government lottery. This back-alley operation is more accessible and can be played by anyone with a few baht to spare. It is estimated to be four to five times larger than the government lottery.
Unlike the official government lottery, which is open to residents of any country, the underground lottery is largely reserved for the poor and lower middle class. A 2006 study of lottery participants found that the majority of people who play were low-income, and two-thirds earned less than the national average monthly salary. In this context, dreaming of a grand prize might not seem unreasonable to many, especially given the limited options for earning money in the Thai economy.
The numbers in the lottery are drawn twice a month, on the first and 16th of each month, and are one of only two forms of legal gambling permitted in Thailand. Its importance goes far beyond the games themselves; it is a way for the poor to earn a small amount of cash and a means of sustaining their families, and it provides them with a sense of hope and optimism.
Bom explains his number selection strategy with a conspiratorial wink. He begins by scribbling down a row of numbers on a sheet of paper while consulting a chart. Then, he crosses out each of the numbers in a specific pattern until he is left with two digits. It is a method that has been passed down through generations of his family and is believed to yield the highest chance of winning.
Nevertheless, lottery participation can lead to significant financial problems for some, and the process of buying a ticket can become an addiction. This can have serious consequences. In March 2015, a man committed suicide after the lottery tickets he sold didn’t win the grand prize. In his note to family members, he explained that the tickets had been his last hope for a better future. While it is hard to argue with the value of hope, there are other ways for the poor to improve their lives.
