Superstitions About Playing the Lottery in Thailand

The lottery, known as slaak kin baeng in Thailand, is more than just a game. It’s a cultural phenomenon, a revenue generator for organizers, and a potential economic stimulus for winners who spend their windfall on goods and services. It’s also an outlet for superstition, with people relying on all manner of methods to pick their winning numbers.

Creepy dreams, omens from the cosmos, and messages from the ghostly realm all figure into how Thais choose their lottery numbers. Many follow a process that’s impossible for an outsider to understand. The results are often inconclusive, but the superstitions that surround lottery play are a testament to a nation’s faith, imagination, and history.

A woman named Kamnang Wongsa, for example, recently won a jackpot after finding a tortoise on the side of the road and cradling it like a baby. The critter was a sign of luck and a gift from the gods, she said. Other Thais believe that animals’ behaviour can be a clue to lottery digits, too. If a fish swims in a particular direction, it’s good luck; if a dog barks or growls in a certain way, it’s bad news.

Many Thais visit fortune tellers who use esiimsi, or siam si, to predict the upcoming lottery numbers. They shake a cup of bamboo sticks that are marked with numbers until one falls out, and then use the number as their lucky lottery digit. Other traditional methods of fortune telling include sprinkling candle drippings and rubbing a coin in water. The Sawang Arom Temple is a popular destination for locals to try their luck with esiimsi.

Some lottery players even go as far as to analyze the odds of winning a prize by looking at historical patterns and data. One such person is a former MIT blackjack counting team leader who has spent millions trying to crack the code of lotto. But while Ranogajec and his crew may have uncovered some interesting statistical trends, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to make enough money to break even.

Despite the grand aspirations attached to the lottery, it’s not uncommon for people to lose a lot of money in a short amount of time. In fact, a large percentage of lottery players are poor or lower middle class, according to a report by the International Gambling Studies Journal. Even so, the lottery is still a major source of entertainment for Thais. It’s no wonder that on the 1st and 16th of every month, hordes of people tune in to watch the lottery draw on TV with their tickets clutched in their hands.