A thai lotto is a national lottery game in Thailand that offers a top prize of six million baht. It is held twice a month and is a major source of revenue for the government. It is also a popular pastime among Thais and expats who have returned home after years abroad. Although there are a number of unofficial agencies that sell tickets, the official lottery is the only legal way to play. In addition to offering more generous prizes, the official agency offers better chances of winning and allows credit purchases.
A Thai lottery ticket has a pre-printed number on it. Unlike the West, where players must choose their own numbers, Thais believe in omens and signs that can guide them towards which numbers will do them good. Many people will visit a temple or shrine to pray for luck and ask the monks for help – some monks have a reputation for divining which numbers will work best. Others will go to fortune tellers, hoping that they can get some hints from the spirits.
Each ticket has a six-digit number and features a two-tone watermark of the mythical bird Wayupak. It is printed on yellow, thin and smooth paper with two types of silk thread. One of the threads can be seen with the naked eye, while the other will only show up under ultraviolet light. The paper is also coated with chemicals, so if you drop bleach on it, it will stain.
While the official lottery is run by GLO, private companies also sell tickets. These companies are often owned by deaf or blind persons and serve as a source of income for them. Despite this, these companies must abide by GLO’s rules and regulations to avoid fines and other penalties.
The lottery was first introduced in Thailand in 1933. It was created to raise money for education and medicine. Its popularity grew through the years, with more than 180 million tickets being printed per year by 1974. Until 2014, when a military government took control of the country, it was possible to purchase lottery tickets with what were considered lucky numbers for much higher prices than mandated by law.
Each ticket costs 80 baht and is available online or at the official government lottery website. You can find the results on these sites after each drawing, though you may want to double check them from more than one site to ensure accuracy. If you win a large prize, you will need to visit the government lottery office to claim it. The prize will be paid in cash or as a cheque, depending on the amount you win. In order to claim the prize, you will need to present your ticket, ID and proof of address. You will also have to pay a tax of 0.5%. If you are not a citizen, you will have to bring your passport with you. The process can take up to two years.
