One of the two forms of legal gambling in Thailand (the other being horse racing in Bangkok), the thai lotto takes place twice each month, on the first and 16th. It is the country’s most popular form of lottery, and a favorite pastime for over 19 million Thais; a whopping 28.6% of the native population. Despite its popularity, the thai lotto is not without its problems and scams. Street vendors carting around a brown wooden box full of lotto tickets strapped to their bicycles are a common sight, and these traders face a tough battle to make ends meet.
Lottery reform was one of the first things to be tackled when Thailand’s military government took power in 2014, and a maximum price per ticket has since been instituted. Before this, vendors would often sell tickets featuring a number that they considered lucky for ridiculous amounts, effectively robbing players of their hard-earned money.
Each thai lotto ticket is printed on a special yellow, thin, and smooth paper with a watermark of Wayupak, a mythical bird from Thai culture. It also features a hidden silk thread, which only becomes visible when viewed under ultraviolet light. To discourage counterfeiting, the paper is coated with chemicals that cause it to stain when exposed to bleach. Each thai lotto ticket has six digits that are randomly drawn by GLO (Government Lottery Office) machines and checked by an official. Winnings are announced on the first and the 16th of each month. The first prize is six million baht and the bonus prize is thirty-two million baht. Winnings are taxed at 0.5% for TGL tickets and 1% for TCL tickets.
Unlike most other national lotteries, the top prize in thai lotto is not set by the state; rather it is determined by the number of matched numbers, and only if all six digits match are winnings guaranteed. The top prize is therefore much less than that of the most popular lotteries in other countries, but it is still a substantial sum.
In addition to the top prize, there are other tiers of prizes for matching three, four, and five digits. These tiers also account for a substantial portion of the overall revenue. The remainder is split between ticket wholesalers, street vendors, and the national social activity fund.
While it may not be the most impressive lottery out there as far as jackpot prizes are concerned, the thai lotto is still an intriguing game that many people enjoy. Its immense local popularity, combined with the passion that accompanies it in the streets of Thailand, make it worth trying at least once. But before you decide to take the plunge, make sure you’re aware of all the tips that will help you increase your chances of winning.
