Thai lottery is an immensely popular form of gambling in Thailand, drawing massive audiences each month to national television to witness winning numbers being drawn and hoping that it’s their lucky number that comes up! But operating such an immense game can be intricate.
For your chance at success in this lottery, purchase a ticket from an authorized retailer and select six numbers out of 99 on a grid containing them from 1 to 99 in order to claim your prize, which could range from small amounts up to the grand prize of 6 Million Baht! Drawings take place twice every month. Winning tickets will be announced both on television and newspaper broadcasts as well as presented directly to retailers as soon as your ticket has been presented as proof of purchase.
Thailand’s lottery works differently from that in most other countries. First, tickets must be purchased from an official government lottery vendor registered with GLO (Government Lottery Office), so you can share one ticket between two people and each has an individual six-digit number printed on special paper bearing a two-tone watermark depicting an ancient mythical bird called Wayupak and coated with chemicals to prevent counterfeiting; drops of bleach will leave visible stains.
Dreams of winning the lottery have had tragic outcomes in some instances. In March 2015, one man in Chiang Mai committed suicide after his ticket failed. He had sold his motorcycle to buy tickets, hoping to create a better future; yet his family urged him not to put all their hopes on such an unlikely process.
An occasional event will spark locals’ curiosity in lottery. A farmer from Ang Thong province claimed his tarantula could predict lottery numbers; so much so that he spends days and nights patiently waiting for its furry fortune teller to emerge and provide guidance as to which numbers to pick for his lotto ticket purchase.
Even though lotteries are legal in Thailand, they remain a controversial matter. People have previously burned down GLO buildings to protest military dictators who used lottery profits for personal gain; and there remain concerns that GLO isn’t run fairly. There is also an underground system of brokers selling tickets not sold through official channels; these back alley deals may lead to higher ticket prices for those unfamiliar with this market. Internet resources make it easier for people to locate fair prices for Thai Lotto tickets. No matter if you want a shot at winning big or just want a piece of the action, there are ample online resources that will assist you with playing Thailand Lottery.