The Thai lottery is much more than a game. It’s a revenue generator for organizers, an important source of entertainment for the local population and, most importantly, a powerful economic stimulant. Winners, flush with cash, often inject their winnings into the economy through purchases of goods and services. Even the mere anticipation of a lottery win can shift consumer behavior.
The lottery is one of only two forms of legal gambling in Thailand and takes place twice a month, on the first and 16th of every month. It draws more than 19 million people, or 28% of the country’s native population, and is a key part of local culture. Its history reflects the complexities of Thailand’s social, cultural and political roots.
In the past, the government lottery was a political tool used by rulers to promote nationalist ideals and to repress minorities. King Rama VI, who ruled from 1910 to 1925, temporarily banned lottery houses in an attempt to appeal to Western notions of becoming a “civilised” nation. More recently, it has been used as a way to generate state revenue. The lottery is regulated by the state, and profits are earmarked for prize money and administrative costs.
Despite the gloomy statistics, lottery participation remains high in the country. A recent survey indicated that about half of the population plays the lottery, with many people using it as a form of recreation, rather than as an investment. The ubiquity of the lottery has also fueled an online marketplace for unofficial lottery agencies, with sites offering credit purchases and a variety of betting options.
Bom’s meticulous approach to choosing his lottery numbers reveals the depths of lottery culture in Thailand. With a conspiratorial wink, he consults a chart and pencils down a row of integers that he then crosses out in a specific pattern. It is a ritual that has become his life, and one that he shares with his friends through a Line group message.
While Bom believes in his system, he is quick to point out that he doesn’t necessarily believe in luck. His method is more of a way to enjoy the thrill of playing, as well as to share his knowledge of number selection with his friends.
Many of the street vendors selling tickets in Thailand are disabled persons, and the work provides a steady income for them. It’s a welcome alternative to other types of employment, which often excludes disabled people from opportunities to contribute to society. According to Don Willcox, co-founder of the Foundation to Encourage the Potential of Disabled Persons, this is a result of a cultural tendency to relegate disabled workers to jobs that are invisible to customers. Lottery selling is a good option for them because it is an inconspicuous form of commerce. In addition, the physical requirements for this type of work are not particularly demanding.
