On the 1st and 16th of every month, when winning lottery numbers are drawn on live television in Thailand, hordes of hopefuls tune in to watch with tickets clutched in hand. The operation of the lottery itself can seem convoluted, but the grand aspirations underlying it are largely straightforward. Tickets are purchased from vendors registered with the government lottery office, and each ticket allows a player to claim a 3 million baht grand prize. Those tickets are sold in pairs, meaning that a player can technically share a prize of 6 million baht with a partner.
Buying a lottery ticket is just the beginning of the process, however. The next step is to choose your numbers, a task that requires a blend of statistical calculation and net luck. Some people go to great lengths to select their lucky numbers, and for good reason: a successful number can turn you into a billionaire. The downside is that you can also lose a lot of money if you choose a wrong number.
Some people buy a system or software that claims to improve their chances of selecting the winning numbers. While this may help them win some money, it can also be a scam based on the buyer’s misunderstanding of probability and randomness. This type of lottery scam is not uncommon, and it’s important to be aware of the risks when playing this game.
In addition to the traditional purchase method, many Thais buy lottery tickets from vendors who are willing to sell them for a lower price than the official government lottery office. These vendors often have a long-standing relationship with the lottery office and can provide a service that is unavailable from other outlets. The benefit of this system is that it helps keep the official lottery office’s profits down, which is important for the state, as 28% of the proceeds from the lottery are dedicated to state projects.
Another popular method of purchasing a lottery ticket in Thailand is to visit temples and make merit while gleaning lucky numbers from monks. This practice is in line with Buddhist belief systems, which promote the idea that positive actions are rewarded with good fortune. Rather than contradicting central Buddhist doctrines, these practices build upon them by creating a new network of spirits and patrons.
Bom’s personal number selection strategy is a glimpse into the religious, economic and social connections that cloak lottery culture in Thailand. With a conspiratorial wink, he pulls out his phone and shows off a photo of a wheel with a set of digits, which he uses to consult as he scribbles a row of numbers on a sheet of paper. He then pencils down a second set of numbers that are derived from the first and crosses them out one by one in a specific pattern. His giddy smile suggests that he’s on to something.