Thailand has long allowed legal gambling, with the national lottery one of its few forms permitted legally. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) draws two sets of winning numbers every month on 1st and 16th to offer cash prizes to people who match up their numbers with those drawn. Furthermore, ticket vendors frequently employ people with disabilities who work the lottery – contributing even further to its cultural unifying phenomenon status; fate, faith, imagination and superstition all factor into this form of entertainment!
Many Thais will do whatever they can to increase their odds of winning the lottery, such as seeking guidance from online gurus with mysterious formulas claiming to help. It isn’t unusual for locals to look for lucky numbers in tragic events such as car accidents and highway deaths – perhaps believing that bad luck precedes good fortune might explain why some individuals might review a number plate from an accident vehicle or try and locate two numbers involved in an airplane crash that were part of its serial number or registration number.
Thais believe that certain objects or people can help them win the lottery, including numbers. Thais frequently seek Mae Nak’s divine intervention when playing lottery; nearby her shrine stands a clay pot containing numbered ping pong balls believed to represent lucky numbers for lottery winners.
Thairath shared this year that animals and banana trees can also help determine your fate; many believe they’re lucky omens. One family in Sakon Nakhon experienced an influx of visitors after their banana tree began growing leaves that looked similar to the head of Naga – another story shared was of Sisaket villagers gathering beneath a bent-branch tree to pray for good fortune after stormy weather had struck the region.
While most people play Thai lottery for money, winnings from this form of lotto can also be used to fulfill dreams or contribute back to their community. For instance, the winner of 2016 Thai Lottery top prize spent his winnings helping build a community center.
GLO and retail venues both provide participants with ways to play Thai lotto. Unfortunately, retail venues have been the subject of some debate, as some venue owners put a percentage onto tickets to generate revenue and increase price hikes; as a result, some people argue the system needs to be altered so it becomes more accessible for lower income Thais; until that change takes place many are turning to lottery apps for easier and cheaper play.
