The Thai Lottery is the country’s state lottery and the biggest source of government revenue. It is regulated by the government’s Lottery Office (GLO) and players must be at least 20 years old to purchase tickets. Prize money is paid in the form of cheques, and winnings must be claimed within two years from the date of the draw. The odds of winning the top prize are one in a million.
In addition to the official lottery, many locals participate in unofficial lotteries by buying tickets from street vendors or at gas stations. These tickets are called “chao sai,” and they can be purchased for small amounts. However, the winnings are often not very substantial. The main reason for this is that people are influenced by superstition and omens when choosing their numbers. Figures in tree bark, the number of spots on a cat’s fur, snakes (a giant snake represents the number five and a small snake represents the number six), rats (linked to the number one), and other omens are believed to be signs that a particular ticket is a good choice.
Although gambling is officially illegal and frowned upon by the Buddhist religion, the country is filled with gambling dens and lottery tickets are sold everywhere. Even bus tickets have a lottery number on them and the winners are often obliged to share their winnings with others. It is estimated that Thais spend more on gambling than on religion. Many monks also advise lottery ticket buyers on the best numbers to choose and offer advice on other forms of gambling, including sports betting.
Lottery tickets are printed on thin, yellow paper with a two-tone watermark of a Wayupak bird and special chemicals that prevent them from being counterfeited. They are coated so that drops of bleach will not show stains on the paper.
Each lottery ticket features a six-digit number. The top prize is 22 million baht and there are prizes of up to 30 million baht for the other digits. There are also two-digit prizes and a bonus prize of up to 10 million baht.
The lottery is a popular pastime in Thailand and a major source of state revenue. There are over 19 million people who play the Government lottery and they spend 67 billion baht a year on it. Approximately 28% of the profit is used for state affairs and the rest for administrative purposes. Lottery sellers are mostly deaf and blind people who sell their tickets in stalls or on the streets. Some also sell them online. However, the lottery is a very expensive pastime and it can be difficult to win the top prize. It is recommended that you buy a ticket only if you can afford it. If you can’t, then it is better to buy a smaller prize. The winner must visit the GLO office to claim his prize. This is done by presenting his passport and receiving a cheque.
