In Thailand, the lottery is more than just a game—it’s a nationwide obsession. You’ll find tickets being sold everywhere, from BTS stations to bustling night markets. Curious about how it works? Let’s dive into the history, unique features, and culture behind the Thai lottery. And hey, if you’re visiting Thailand, why not buy a ticket and try your luck?
Table of Contents
History of the Thai Lottery
The Thai lottery dates back to 1874, when it was first introduced to celebrate King Rama V’s birthday.
1917: The public could buy “British Patriotic Lottery” tickets at 5 baht each.
1933: The military introduced the “Government Lottery” to fund education and healthcare.
1939: The Government Lottery Office (GLO) was established.
1952: Thailand began printing its own lottery tickets.
Ticket prices have steadily increased: from 20 baht to 40 baht in 1988, and today the official price is 80 baht per ticket (though I still remember paying only 40 baht back in 2017!).
Thai Lottery－Prize Tiers & Odds
The Thai lottery is cheap and offers plenty of chances to win smaller prizes. Draws are held twice a month, on the 1st and 16th.
The beauty of the Thai lottery is that while the jackpot is huge, there are also many smaller prizes that keep people hooked.
A single ticket costs 80 baht. For just a small spend, you could win prizes worth many times your investment. No wonder so many Thais—and even foreigners—are obsessed!
Eligibility:Anyone age 20 or above can play, including foreigners.
Where to Buy Thai Lottery Tickets
Lottery vendors are everywhere—pushing bicycles, selling from street stalls, or outside markets. Competition is tough, and although demand is high, profits for sellers are limited because tickets are so widely available.
In June 2025, the Thai government launched the Paotang app, allowing people to buy tickets online at the official 80-baht price. This move was meant to stop vendors from overcharging. But by July, traditional vendors were protesting, leading to heated clashes.
How to Play & Claim Winnings
Thai lottery tickets are always sold in pairs—two tickets with the same number. This means if you win, your payout is automatically doubled. That’s one of the quirks that makes the Thai lottery so attractive.
Official price: 80 baht per ticket.
Reality check: Popular “lucky numbers” are often marked up to 120 baht or more. Bargaining and mark-ups are just part of the Thai lottery scene (and arguably part of the fun).
Prize Examples:
＊You can check the winning numbers on theofficial GLO websiteafter each draw.
- Last 2 digits match (red box in Figure 2): win 2,000 baht
- First 3 digits (green) OR last 3 digits (blue) match (green/blue in Figure 2): win 4,000 baht
- All 6 digits in Figure 1 match (purple box in Figure 2): you hit the jackpot—6,000,000 baht!!
Figure 1 (Thai Lottery Ticket)
Figure 2 (Old Lottery Prize Version, 2017)
Figure 2 (New Lottery Prize Version, 2025)
“Lucky Numbers” in Thai Lottery
Thais are strong believers in “lucky numbers”. Dreams, car license plates, and everyday events can all be turned into potential winning numbers.
*Tickets with popular “lucky” numbers are sold at higher prices.
*Tickets with “unlucky” numbers , on the other hand, are hard to sell—even when discounted to 80–90 baht.
For example, people often draw inspiration from animals or daily life:
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An elephant might symbolize the number 5
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A rat might point to the number 1
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A cat is seen as a good omen—time to buy a ticket!
Temples are another popular place for seeking lottery luck, where many Thais pray for a winning number.
And sometimes, these “lottery tips” really do hit the mark, which makes it all the more fascinating.
A few real-life cases:
- A car crash license plate number showed up in the lottery the very next day.
- The date of the late King’s passing, August 9, was drawn in the following lottery round.
Stories like these only add to the mystery and excitement around Thai lottery culture.
Thai Lottery－How to Claim Winnings & Fees
If you’re lucky enough to win, here’s how to collect your prize:
- Prizes above 20,000 baht: Bring your winning ticket along with your ID or passport in person to the Government Lottery Office.
- Smaller prizes (such as 3-digit numbers): Can be claimed at the place of purchase, the Government Lottery Office, or local provincial offices.
Claim Fees(about 2% in total, including stamp duty & income tax):：
- Government Lottery tickets: 0.5% stamp duty
- Charity Lottery tickets: 1% stamp duty
- All winnings: Additional 1% income tax
As example in below video: If you win 4,000 baht, a 2% fee (80 baht) will be deducted. You’ll take home 3,920 baht.
Video Guide: How the Thai Lottery Works
Local Thailand Experiencce/Recommendation!：
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😎 About Me
I have been stationed in Thailand for many years (seeAbout me), speak Thai, and serve as your local insider guide. Feel free to join my Facebook Page:LiangYu in Thailand - Eight Years as an Expat in Thailand, Firsthand Insights into Thai Life, where we can share experiences about work, life, travel, and business in Thailand.
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