Lottery tickets are big business in Thailand. Whether they’re bought on the government-approved TGL (Thai Government Lottery) or the illegal underground lottery (TCL), the grand aspirations of winning are what draw hordes to watch bi-monthly draws and to seek out any number of alleged tricks for scoring a hefty payout.
The glitzy machinations of the lottery are only part of the story, though. It’s also a source of hope and optimism, especially for those who don’t have much else. One example is a man with a disability who sells lottery tickets to make a living, despite the fact that he cannot work at a conventional job. This is a common way for disabled people to earn a decent income in Thailand, where employers are reluctant to make workplace adjustments.
While the odds of winning a grand prize are extremely low, those in need of quick cash can’t be blamed for seeking out any opportunity to improve their lives, no matter how unlikely the outcome. A study published in the International Gambling Studies Journal found that two-thirds of lottery players are from poor or lower middle class families. The lottery is a lifeline for these people, who can’t afford to live off their meager salaries and often depend on the money they earn from playing the lottery to support their families.
For the lucky few, the prize money for the first prize is 30 million baht*. To win, players must match all six digits in the correct order. The second prize is 15 million baht, while the third and fourth prizes are 10 million and 5 million baht, respectively. The lottery is open to all adults.
The operation of the official government lottery is complex, but it’s relatively straightforward from a logistical standpoint. Tickets are pre-printed and include a host of anti-counterfeiting features, and they’re sold in pairs for 80 baht each. They are not available for purchase individually; only ticket pairs are offered, and they’re valid for the entire drawing period.
Local news stories frequently share stories of Thais trying to find mystical methods for picking the right numbers. Creepy dreams, scary nightmares and messages from the cosmos are all viewed as signs of impending lottery luck, and people will go to great lengths to make sure they’re in on the action.
A popular method involves consulting online gurus, who have pages devoted to cryptic lottery number formulas and tips. In many cases, they claim to be able to predict the winning numbers based on the time of year and other factors, such as celebrity deaths and car accidents. Similarly, some people will consult fortune tellers, who use bamboo sticks marked with numbers to select a winner. One such practice is called esiimsi or siam si, and it’s said to be particularly effective at selecting the winning numbers for the TGL and TCL. The Sawang Arom temple, for instance, is renowned as a spot where locals go to try this art.
