The thai lotto is an official national lottery, run by The Government Lottery Office (GLO). It has two draws every month, on the first and sixteenth. The drawings are broadcast live on TV and the winning numbers are announced shortly after. It is one of only two forms of legalised gambling in Thailand, the other being horse racing in Bangkok.
A ticket costs 80 baht. This includes the prize money and the government’s markup. It is common for Thais to buy the numbers that are unlikely to win. This is a form of superstition, and while it is not always successful, it can help boost sales. The GLO also has a number of promotional campaigns to encourage people to purchase tickets.
Each thai lotto ticket has a six-digit number and features a watermark of a Wayupak bird, which can be seen under ultraviolet light. The paper is also coated with chemicals that prevent stains. In addition, the ticket contains a barcode that can be read by scanners. This is to ensure that the ticket has not been altered.
To deter counterfeiters, thai lotto tickets are printed on special yellow, thin, smooth paper. The paper has a security feature consisting of two layers: a visible layer that resembles a Wayupak bird, and an invisible layer that can only be detected using specialized equipment. It also contains a microprint of the GLO seal. The paper is also treated with chemicals that will not show up in a drop of bleach. This is to prevent stains and make it difficult for counterfeiters to create fake lottery tickets.
The first prize for the thai lotto is six million baht. There used to be a bonus prize of 22 million baht, but the military government abolished it on 1 August 2015. The remainder of the money is split between street vendors (12%), ticket wholesalers (2%) and the foundation, association, and organization discount (3%). The remaining 20% is funnelled into state coffers.
Winners of the first or jackpot prize must visit the GLO headquarters in person to claim their prizes. They must bring their winning ticket, a valid ID document and bank account details. If they are not a citizen of Thailand, they must present their passport.
The GLO’s Department of Prize Payments handles all prize claims for the thai lotto. Those who have questions can call the office at 02-528-96-21. They should also read the official GLO website for additional information on prize claims and the mandated procedures. They should be aware that the odds of winning vary each time, as they are directly related to the number of tickets printed and sold. Nevertheless, they should stick with their lottery strategy and not change their numbers, as this can be detrimental to their chances of success. In addition, they should avoid buying tickets from unlicensed agents. This is because the agents may be attempting to steal their prizes. In order to avoid this, they should play at reputable online lottery sites.
