The thai lotto is the official national lottery of Thailand. It is drawn twice a month on the first and 16th of each month. The drawing is televised and occurs shortly before 4:00 PM (Indochina time). Prizes are generally awarded to those who match all six of the winning numbers in the correct order. There are also smaller prizes for those who match five or four of the numbers. The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in a million.
Lottery is one of only two forms of legal gambling in Thailand, along with horse racing at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) controls the lottery and regulates its operations. Tickets are available at authorised vendors, which include local supermarkets, travel agencies, and convenience stores. Licensed vendors must be registered with the GLO and have a valid identification card. If the ticket is won, the winner must present the winning ticket and a copy of his or her ID to claim the prize. Prizes of 20,000 baht or less can be claimed immediately at the ticket vendor’s location. If the prize is higher than 20,000 baht, the winner must visit the GLO headquarters in Bangkok and bring a copy of his or her ID and bank account information to claim the award.
Besides relying on statistics and probability, many Thais use superstitions when purchasing lottery tickets. For example, some believe that the number four is a good number and will buy tickets with that number. Others may consult a fortune-teller or go to a temple or shrine in the hope that the monks there can divine which numbers will be lucky. The number 555 is believed to be particularly lucky, and the name of the lottery is often abbreviated as “555”.
In addition, it is common for Thais to pursue certain numbers that are associated with tragedy or death in an attempt to win the lottery. They will look at license plate numbers of cars involved in accidents or the highway numbers where fatal crashes have occurred.
The GLO has made great strides in ensuring that the lottery is fair for all players. It has even taken the unusual step of imposing a maximum price on ticket purchases. In the past, some vendors would sell tickets at prices far above what was allowed by law.
Those who wish to play the thai lotto should be aware that they must pay a stamp duty of 0.5% on their winnings. The stamp duty is collected and paid by the ticket sellers, who are required to submit a copy of the winners’ ID card or passport (for foreigners). Winnings are not paid in cash, but in a cheque issued in the name of the winners. The GLO will issue a refund for any amount paid in error. The refund is valid for two years from the date of the drawing. Any unclaimed money will be used to support future lottery draws.
