The lottery is one of only two forms of legal gambling in Thailand, and it’s used by nearly 19 million people—more than 28% of the population. It’s also a major source of revenue for the country, and the prize money is incredibly high. But, despite its popularity and the government’s insistence that lottery play is “harmonious” with the nation’s values, it isn’t without controversy.
The odds of winning the Thai lottery are 1 in 20 million, and there are a variety of strategies to increase your chances of winning. Many people buy tickets in pairs, so they can try to match all six digits, while others prefer to pick numbers that appear more frequently in their dreams or other events. Some even consult online gurus who offer cryptic formulas and tips on how to choose winning numbers. Others may visit temples to make merit and glean lucky numbers from monks.
Regardless of the strategy, the vast majority of lottery players are not wealthy. A 2006 study published in the International Gambling Studies Journal reported that more than two-thirds of those who participate in the lottery are from the poor and lower middle class. And while the money won by a few winners can be impressive, it’s not enough to significantly alter the lives of the millions who play the lottery every month.
Lottery is a cultural phenomenon in Thailand, and its popularity is driven by the belief that it is more than a game—it’s an investment in luck. The practice is entwined with religious and social traditions, and the beliefs that surround it are complex.
A street vendor carting a brown wooden box full of lottery tickets strapped to his bicycle is a familiar sight in any city or village in Thailand. This is the face of lottery culture, and it’s a harrowing way for many Thais to earn a living. These vendors are often the only source of income for families living below the poverty line, and they must sift through the daily grind to find lucky numbers that will boost their fortunes.
The lottery is run by the Government Lottery Office (GLO), and it’s held twice a month on the first and 16th. Each ticket costs 80 baht and is sold in ticket pairs. The tickets include a number of anti-counterfeiting features and are pre-printed, including a set of six-digit numbers. The GLO assigns an official named “Draw Chairman” who randomly selects a colored ball to determine the order of lesser-prize draws. These balls are used to initialize each draw machine, and different colors represent different prizes: yellow for second place, pink for third, green for fourth, and blue for fifth. The last prize is awarded to the winner who matches the final two digits on their ticket with the drawn number. The lottery is a massive source of revenue for the country and has become a cultural institution in Thailand. But its long history of political corruption and controversy has raised questions about the integrity of the game.
