The image of a street vendor carting a brown wooden box full of lottery tickets strapped to his bicycle has become iconic of Thailand’s bustling, urban street life. But behind this facade, the lottery represents a deeply rooted cultural phenomenon that combines faith, fate and imagination in an attempt to change one’s fortune. More than 19 million people in the country play this national lottery every month, accounting for 28.6% of its native population. And although the odds of winning are low, pinning hopes of a better future on such a doomed process isn’t so unreasonable for those without other options for making a lasting change in their lives.
The underground lottery in Thailand is more popular than the government-regulated one, and there are many different ways to choose your numbers. Some go to temples to make merit and glean lottery numbers from monks, which aligns with Buddhist belief systems in which good deeds are rewarded. Others visit fortunetellers, who may suggest a specific combination of numbers for the best chance of winning.
Regardless of the method used, lottery tickets must be purchased in pairs and are pre-printed with various anti-counterfeiting features. The lottery draws are held twice a month, on the first and 16th of each month. The first draw selects a two-digit number, and the second draws a six-digit number. The lottery also features bonus prizes for matching the last two digits of a selected number. A designated “Draw Chairman” randomly selects a colored ball to initiate the order of lesser prize draws, and four balls signify different prizes: yellow for the second prize, pink for the third prize, green for the fourth prize, and blue for the fifth prize.
The official lottery is administered by the Government Lottery Office (GLO), which requires all ticket vendors to be registered and licensed. The GLO also oversees the lottery’s finances, and ensures that the majority of proceeds are distributed as prize money. However, the GLO must set aside no less than 28% of its sales as state revenue. The remainder is used to cover administrative costs, and for the purchase of equipment and maintenance for the drawing machines. In addition, a small percentage is used to fund public education. The GLO has been criticized for using the lottery to raise money for social welfare programs, while many Thais view it as an important source of entertainment and a source of hope. The lottery is a multifaceted socioeconomic force that connects Thais with each other through their shared belief in the possibility of changing one’s fate.