The lottery, with its promise of sudden wealth, fosters a sense of hope and optimism that unites people in a shared dream. Despite the often tragic results when dreams don’t pan out, the lottery experience – a recurring ritual that takes place twice per month on television with millions of Thais tuning in with tickets in hand – demonstrates the capacity of human beings to connect with one another through mutually shared aspirations.
It’s common to see a street vendor carting a brown wooden box full of lottery tickets strapped to a bicycle on Thailand’s busy streets. But the reality is that a lot of these traders are struggling to make ends meet. For many, lottery sales provide a much-needed source of income in a country where poverty and unemployment are widespread.
To understand why so many Thais – more than 19 million people – play the lottery, it’s important to explore some of the social, religious and economic aspects that underlie the practice. It’s also vital to consider how the lottery is used as a tool of state revenue.
Almost two-thirds of the proceeds from ticket sales go to prize money, with the remaining 28% allocated for state revenue. This is a significant amount of cash in a nation where the national budget is chronically underfunded and the government needs every penny it can get to survive.
A giddy smile plays at the corners of Bom’s mouth as he presents his numbers. His elaborate strategy is the result of years of careful study and a deep knowledge of the lottery’s nuances. Bom is part of a community of lottery enthusiasts that regularly share their tactics for choosing numbers on a Line group chat.
Lottery players seek any conceivable way to improve their odds at the near-unwinnable grand prizes. Often, they consult online gurus such as Thai Lottery King or My4Website, who publish cryptic formulas and tips that claim to be the keys to success. Others rely on signs from the universe, including astrological dates and even the weather, to select their winning numbers.
These practices may seem mystical and superstitious, but they do not contradict the underlying beliefs of Buddhism. In fact, they reinforce the notion that good deeds are rewarded with good fortune. Indeed, Buddhist monks have been providing lottery consultation services since 1900. In this way, the lottery’s roots in Buddhist culture make it more than just a game. It’s a means of making merit and establishing a new network of spirits and patrons that transcends the traditional Thai spirit world.
