Thai Lotto is a widely played lottery game in Thailand, managed by the government and hosted twice monthly by draws that take place on 1st and 16th. Available both physically and online, draw broadcasts take place live via television/radio broadcast and results posted to official lottery website; buying lottery tickets online increasingly becoming popular as it provides higher payout rates with easy accessibility.
Thai lottery numbers differ from Western lotteries in that, unlike being randomly selected from a machine, Thais seek cosmic guidance when selecting winning numbers for lottery draws. One such place of worship, Mae Nak (a ghost who died during childbirth) on Sukhumvit Soi 77 draws large crowds who pray to her divine guidance in making difficult decisions or increasing fertility – as her divine intervention might provide guidance in these areas or provide fertility boost. A nearby jar full of numbered ping-pong balls reportedly holds clues as to who may hold winning numbers!
Thais place much faith in divine intervention; however, they also visit fortune tellers or temples and shrines to pray for good luck. Some Buddhist monks are known to predict winning lottery numbers with remarkable accuracy; when an influential monk dies, his followers often rush to his temple not only out of respect but also in hopes of picking up some lottery hints from him.
Government officials have begun cracking down on private retailers that sell overpriced lottery tickets online. Such retailers spend large sums advertising the tickets that they resell at a premium, violating direct sale laws and potentially engaging in money laundering activity.
Concerns have also been expressed over reports that children and youths under 20 years old are increasingly engaging in government lottery gambling, even though this activity is illegal for them. Some buyers could have obtained tickets via websites offering access to underground lotteries domestically and internationally.
For prize claims, winners must present their ticket/s and passport/Thai ID card. Furthermore, government lotterie winnings require payment of 0.5% stamp duty while charitable lotteries levy an additional 1% tax which is collected and paid on by vendors on behalf of customers. Should winners not want their winnings they may choose to have it refunded if desired or visit one of the lottery offices to cash their winnings and receive verification and receipt for that sum of money.