The lottery in Thailand is a major business, and its popularity is growing. It’s estimated that the underground lottery is four to five times larger than the official government lottery. Its success stems from its lower minimum purchase requirement – individuals can buy tickets for just a few baht at a time, whereas the government lottery requires that you have at least 80 baht to play one ticket pair. In addition, the lottery has many other advantages. It has high payout rates, prizes are distributed throughout the week, and it’s easy to learn how to become a lottery master.
The image of a street vendor carting around a brown wooden box full of lottery tickets strapped to their bicycle is iconic in Thai culture. These vendors are a vital source of income for many people living in poverty, but they often struggle to make ends meet. Some even resort to desperate measures, such as selling their motorcycles in order to purchase more tickets, and are at risk of slipping into debt. The problem is, the odds of winning the lottery are incredibly slim.
To combat this, some vendors develop their own secret techniques for choosing lucky numbers. This can be anything from a number that appeared in their dream to a specific symbol they saw or the behavior of an animal. Some even consult online gurus who claim to have cracked the code of lotto luck. In Thailand, where superstition runs deep, this can be a dangerous game.
In fact, a man in Chiang Mai recently committed suicide after the lottery tickets he sold for his family failed to win a grand prize. His last letter to his wife explained that he had spent everything he had in an attempt to improve their lives, and had been unsuccessful. Despite the nearly impossible odds of winning, the lottery remains a popular pastime in the country, with around 19 million Thais playing it each month.
A recent study by the University of Thailand found that more than half of lottery players are poor or lower middle class, and a majority of these people play the weekly lottery. The study’s authors argue that the lottery is not only a form of gambling but also a way for the state to raise revenue without imposing additional taxes on citizens. They also argue that the lottery is more effective in reducing inequality than government programs such as social assistance, and can provide an opportunity for those in need to become financially independent.
Bom, a 28-year-old from a rural village, is a proud member of this group. He is careful to select the numbers carefully, following a ritual he’s perfected over the years. He also uses a Line group chat with friends to discuss tactics and strategy. While he doesn’t believe in the supernatural, he does feel that certain numbers are more “lucky” than others. He has even consulted a fortune teller about his numbers.
