The lottery is an omnipresent part of Thai culture. On the first and 16th of each month, Thais tune in to watch the winning numbers be drawn live on TV and then rush out to buy tickets for the next drawing. But, despite the grand aspirations attached to it, there is more than just luck behind Thailand’s official national lottery (Thai:
In Thailand, lottery winnings can be very lucrative. A single winner can expect to receive around 100,000 baht. However, the amount of money that can be won varies according to the type of lottery game played. Some games have fixed prize pools, while others have a higher chance of winning the jackpot. Some games even offer a second chance to win the prize. In addition, some of the lottery games are operated by NGOs as a means to promote their programs.
Choosing the right lottery numbers is a big deal for Thais, and they often take a superstitious approach to it. Some winners have claimed that dream interpretation or seeing certain animals can help them select their lucky numbers. Others have used strategies like praying to banana trees, interpreting candle drippings in holy water or fortune telling with bamboo sticks.
While these techniques may seem crazy to outsiders, the fact is that many of them have helped Thais become lottery winners. The trick is to find the right balance between playing the lottery wisely and trusting in these mystical practices.
The official Thai lotto is administered by the Government Lottery Office and is drawn every two weeks. Tickets can be purchased from authorised vendors who are registered with the GLO. Despite the popularity of the lottery, it has been a source of controversy and protest in Thailand in recent decades. For example, in 1973, activists burned down the GLO building to protest military dictators using lottery profits for their own personal gains. And in March 2014, Luang Pu Buddha Issara, a politically active monk, led a protest to call for the lottery’s revenues to be diverted to rice subsidies.
In addition to its role in providing a much-needed source of income for Thais, the lottery is also popular among people with disabilities. In fact, some disabled people sell lottery tickets as a way of earning an extra income. This is because employers often refuse to make any accommodation for the disabled, so selling lottery tickets can be a more attractive option for them. Besides, it’s a convenient and flexible way for them to earn a living while being independent. The Government Lottery Office also provides additional support for disabled people to get into work by allowing them to sell their tickets at discounted rates. This allows them to work from home and avoid the high cost of living in a large city. In addition, the Government Lottery Office offers benefits such as cash for education and health care.
