The lottery is one of the two legal forms of gambling permitted in Thailand and it is a popular activity among over 19 million Thais, or 28% of the population. While it may not offer the largest jackpot prizes in the world, it is a game that captivates a nation and fuels the human spirit with the promise of sudden wealth.
The national lottery is administered by the Government Lottery Office (GLO), and the draws are held on the first and 16th of each month. The GLO sells tickets at the official price of 80 baht to national wholesalers, who then sell them to local vendors, or “brokers”. These brokers in turn sell the tickets to consumers for the same price. The prize amounts vary, depending on the type of ticket purchased and whether the number is a winning combination of numbers.
To win the top prize of a minimum of 3 million baht, players must match all six digits in correct order. There is also a second prize of 200,000 baht and three additional prizes of 100,000 baht each. The draw chairman also randomly selects a colored ball to determine the order of lesser prize draws. The colors signify the different prize levels: yellow for the 2nd prize, pink for the 3rd prize, green for the 4th prize, and blue for the 5th prize.
As the country’s military government took over in 2014, lottery reform was one of its key issues and since 2015, a maximum purchase amount was implemented to prevent ticket prices from exceeding what they should be. This was a significant step in the fight against corruption, as it meant that sellers could not charge extra for numbers they considered lucky.
For those who are unable to make it to a physical store to purchase tickets, there are several online lottery websites that offer them. However, it is important to note that these sites are not officially licensed and may not be able to offer the same guarantees. In addition, they may not be able to process credit cards.
If you have any concerns about buying tickets online, it’s a good idea to visit a physical shop and ask for a receipt. This way, you can be sure that you are not purchasing a fake or unauthorized ticket. In addition, the physical stores will have a better chance of protecting their customers from scams and fraud.
In the past, the first prize of the Thai lottery was up to 30 million baht depending on the type of ticket purchased. However, this bonus prize was eliminated by the military government in August 2015.
To be eligible for a prize, winners must submit a winning ticket along with an ID card or passport to any GLO office. Then, they must sign a declaration form to receive the money. The process is relatively quick and easy. However, it is important to know that if you win the lottery, you must collect your prize within 180 days of the draw date. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a fine of 200,000 baht.