The lottery is a popular pastime in Thailand. There are two types of lotteries in the country – thai government lottery (TGL) and thai charity lottery (TCL). The former is operated by GLO, which has strict legislative guidelines on how the lottery operates, how prizes are paid out, and what percentage of the total sum generated from ticket sales will go towards supporting national causes. In this respect, the Thai lottery is highly transparent. In addition, tickets are sold through GLO wholesalers or brokers to a network of more than 14,700 authorized retail venues throughout the country. The odds of winning a prize are quite good and the risk is relatively low.
The first and 16th dates of each month are the lottery drawing days. The drawings are held at the GLO head office and broadcast live on TV. The winning numbers are determined by matching six digits, starting with the first two and then the last two. The total prize money is divided into several sectors – 60% of the proceeds are given to the winners, while 20% goes to GLO, street vendors (12%), and ticket wholesalers (2%) and 3% is funnelled into social activities. The remaining 6% of the total prize funds are used for administrative expenses.
Lottery results are published on the GLO website immediately after the draws. They are also available on mobile phones and tablets. In addition, the official lottery app is available for download on Android and iOS devices. The app makes it easy for you to see the results of your favourite lottery games and to check if you’ve won a prize.
It is important to note that the official price of a lottery ticket is 80 baht, but many sellers increase the price to make a profit. Some of them even sell tickets with “lucky” numbers, which is against the law.
Some of the people selling lotteries are poor or deaf individuals who need to supplement their income. Others just enjoy the thrill of having a chance to win. Regardless of the reason, never pay more than 120 baht for a lottery ticket as this is considered excessive.
If you’re lucky enough to win a prize, you can claim it in person at the GLO headquarters in Bangkok. You must bring the winning lottery ticket, a valid identification document, and your bank account details. If you’re a foreigner, you must present your passport.
Another way to get your hands on the coveted lottery numbers is to visit the shrine of Mae Nak, a ghost who’s been known to guide her followers through difficult decisions, exam times, and even their lottery fortune. Mae Nak is a ghost who was said to have died in childbirth and has become one of Thailand’s most famous spirits. Visitors to her shrine on Sukhumvit Soi 77 often ask for her divine guidance with their lottery choices. They may also place a small clay jar of numbered ping-pong balls next to her and hope that the numbers will guide them to fortune.
