The lottery is an enormously popular form of gambling in Thailand, where nearly one third of the population plays it. While many criticize the practice as a financial drain on society, research indicates that more people play the lottery than gamble at casinos or engage in other forms of commercial betting. The lottery is also a common means of supplementing incomes. A study by the Institute of Economic Development found that two-thirds of Thai lottery players are in the lower middle class, and most of them use their winnings to supplement household incomes.
A street vendor carting a brown wooden box of lottery tickets strapped to a bicycle is an iconic image synonymous with Thai street trade. But a deeper look at the process of buying and selling these tickets reveals a complex web of religious, political and economic factors that bind together lottery culture in the Land of Smiles.
Lottery tickets are purchased from vendors who have registered with the government-owned Thailand Lottery Office (GLO). Each ticket is printed with six digits and includes anti-counterfeiting features. The tickets are sold in pairs and cost 80 baht each, but can be shared by multiple purchasers. They are accompanied by a schedule of prizes, ancillary information and conditions. The draw itself occurs on the first and sixteenth of each month, and is broadcast on live television.
Drawings are run by the GLO using special machines that randomly select numbered balls in order to identify winning numbers. The number of winning digits corresponds to the prize – the higher the prize level, the more numbers needed to win. The winner’s name and a short bio are announced at the end of the drawing. The winner may claim the prize within a year of the draw.
In addition to the main prize, there are other smaller prizes. For example, the second prize consists of a 500,000-baht check and a TV set, while the third prize consists of a 150,000-baht cash award and an iPhone XS. The fourth prize consists of a 75,000-baht check and a television.
Lottery games are a source of pride in Thailand, and the country’s culture is steeped in the spirit of luck. Fate, faith, imagination and superstition are all woven into lottery culture, and even if the dreams of grand fortune are never fulfilled, the experience unites people around a shared dream of wealth. And with the advent of mobile technology, lottery games are now available for anyone who wants to try their luck at a game of chance. The thai lotto hanoi lotto app is a great way to enjoy the excitement of the national lottery from the comfort of your own home. This free app allows you to purchase tickets, track results and even monitor your favorite numbers! With a simple interface, it’s easy to get started! Download it today and try your luck.
