The Thai lottery, or slaakkinaebng as it is known locally, is one of the two forms of legal gambling in Thailand. It takes place every first and 16th of the month and is played by over 19 million people—a whopping 28.6% of the country’s population. While the lottery is not a guaranteed path to riches, it offers the chance of winning a life-changing sum of money and inspires hope and optimism.
Unlike other lotteries, which are typically run by government or private organizations, the Thai lottery is controlled and operated by the Government Lottery Office (GLO). Ticket sales are regulated by law, and prizes are distributed according to a pre-printed schedule. In addition to the official schedule, all tickets must include a barcode, which serves as an anti-counterfeiting measure. In order to reduce fraud, only ticket pairs are sold; no single tickets are allowed.
In addition to the government lottery, there are also private lotteries. Some of them operate independently of the GLO, while others are affiliated with it. The difference between these two types of lotteries is mainly in the prize payouts and tax rates. TGL tickets have a higher first prize payout and are subject to 0.5% tax, while TCL tickets have a lower first prize payout and are taxed at 1%.
For many Thais, the process of selecting lottery numbers is as much a spiritual experience as it is a business venture. They often consult ghostly shrines, fortune tellers and messages from the universe hidden in everyday events to choose their numbers. Some even choose the numbers that are unlucky for someone else to ensure that they are lucky for them.
While the chances of winning the top prize are slim, lottery fans say that playing the game is a great way to pass the time and to unwind. Whether they are hoping for a new car, an apartment or just a few million baht, the lottery can make dreams come true.
