Thai lottery draws attract nearly one third of its population each month, and official government lottery draws are held every 1st and 16th of every month. But there is also an underground lotterie with far greater economic repercussions that is almost impossible to control, involving parallel dealers selling tickets at prices 4-5 times higher than official lotteries.
There are two kinds of Thai lotto tickets, the Thai Government Lottery (TGL) and Thai Charity Lottery (TCL), each offering different first prize payouts and taxes that must be paid on winnings. Tickets for both types cost 80 baht for two pairs while TCL tickets come at 50 baht per pair.
Both tickets offer players a chance at winning six million baht in grand prizes and 30 million baht bonus prizes, respectively. To maximize their odds, players select numbers related to car accidents or celebrity deaths for optimal odds; alternatively they may interpret dreams or consult online lottery gurus’ websites that contain formulas and tips designed to increase one’s odds at these near unwinnable grand prizes.
Superstitions surrounding lottery numbers can be quite elaborate. Many people believe animal behavior can provide clues as to the upcoming draw; seeing a tortoise crossing the street, for instance, could indicate you will soon become wealthy. Others try to turn unfortunate events into lottery numbers by turning them into lucky picks. One lady won a huge jackpot after her one-year-old nephew told her to select 3 and 1.
As well, some players use religious or numerological methods to select their winning numbers. For instance, some consider seven to be lucky as it represents “sod khun” (“good luck”) in Buddhist calendar. Other players believe a lucky number might be their initial or last digit of their name or perhaps that of their parents and grandparents.
Though some of these tactics might appear absurd, they nonetheless have a profound effect on millions of lives in Thailand. They demonstrate how lottery is much more than just a game for some; for those without other sources of support or opportunities elsewhere in their lives, lottery can provide hope of a brighter future.
Although the odds of winning the grand prize in Thailand’s lottery are extremely slim, many Thais continue to participate in it regardless. Their government has expressed its concern and set out to address it by educating young people and passing stricter legislation; although this may help somewhat, the issue will likely not go away any time soon; lottery is a multi-billion baht industry and hard to regulate effectively.