Unlike their Western counterparts, Thai people take their lottery numbers very seriously. They often visit temples or shrines not only to pay their respects but also to pray for the right digits. They also visit fortune tellers and monks in the hope of picking up some hints about which numbers are likely to hit the jackpot. Those with more money to spare are willing to invest in the more expensive tickets that offer better chances of winning.
Lottery is one of only two forms of legalised gambling permitted in Thailand and is run by the Government Lottery Office (GLO). Tickets are sold nationwide, drawing on the first and sixteenth of every month. GLO prints the lottery tickets and sells them to national wholesalers, known as brokers, who then distribute them to more than 14,760 registered retail venues.
The tickets are made of a special yellow paper with a double watermark depicting Wayupak, the mythical bird of Thailand, and two silk threads. The first thread is visible with the naked eye while the second is only apparent under ultraviolet light. The paper is also treated with chemicals that cause it to stain if dropped with bleach. This is another feature designed to discourage counterfeiting.
Each ticket has a six-digit number. The top prize is the sum of all the numbers matched, while the smaller prizes are awarded for the individual digits. The smallest prize is 1,000 baht. Previously, there was also a bonus prize of 22 million or 30 million baht depending on which type of ticket was purchased but this was eliminated after the military government took power.
Those who buy tickets are required to write their full name and address at the back of the ticket. They must also present a proof of identity, such as a Thai ID card or passport for foreign bettors. Moreover, winners must shoulder 0.5% stamp duty on winnings from TGL and 1% on those from the charitable lottery TCL.
Lottery profits are channelled to a variety of sectors. Some go to prize funds, while others are divided among street vendors, ticket wholesalers, social activity funds, foundations, associations, and organizations. A minimum of 28% of the total revenue is funnelled to the state treasury.
Despite these measures, some people have been successful in cheating the system and stealing money from the lottery. As a result, the government has stepped in to try to crack down on these activities. For this reason, it is important to know how the lottery works in thailand before purchasing your tickets.
