The History of Thai Lottery That Many People Don’t Know
When it comes to the “lottery” or the government lottery in Thailand, most people only think of buying a 6-digit number and waiting for the draw on the 1st and 16th of every month.
But did you know that the Thai lottery has a history spanning over 180 years?
Its origins date back to the reign of King Rama III, and over time, it has gone through many transformations to become the system we know today.
This article will take you on a journey through the history of the Thai lottery — from its early beginnings, through the changes across different eras, up to the arrival of digital lotteries in the modern day.
The Origin of “Thai Lottery” in the Reign of King Rama III
The roots of the Thai lottery trace back to the reign of King Rama III (1824–1851), during a time when Thailand faced a severe economic downturn. People were reluctant to spend money, which resulted in reduced tax revenue for the government.
To address this, King Nangklao (Rama III) appointed Chin Hong (later known as Phraya Sri Chaiyabal), a Chinese man experienced in operating traditional Chinese lotteries (known as “Huay Hoy”), to establish a lottery house, known as “Huay Gor Kor” (หวย ก ข), to help stimulate the economy.
Characteristics of “Huay Gor Kor”:
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Used 36 Thai letters (ก–ฮ) to represent numbers
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One letter was drawn randomly as the winning result each round
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Operated by private businesses granted a government concession, known as “Khun Baan Huay” (หวย overseers)
This form of lottery soon became a major source of state revenue and laid the foundation for Thailand’s early lottery system.
King Rama V Era – The Beginning of Western-Style Lottery in Thailand
During the reign of King Rama V, Thailand began to adopt influences from the Western world. This included introducing the Western-style “lottery” for the first time, with lottery tickets used as raffle prizes during royal birthday celebrations.
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1874 (B.E. 2417): Thailand officially issued its first lottery, known as the “Thai State Lottery.” Foreigners were assigned to print and distribute the tickets.
Over time, the government realized that issuing lotteries could generate revenue more effectively and legally than other forms of gambling. This led to the eventual establishment of the Government Lottery Office in later years.
Post-1932 Era – Establishment of the Government Lottery Office
After Thailand transitioned to a constitutional monarchy in 1932 (B.E. 2475), the government sought alternative sources of revenue beyond traditional taxation. In 1934 (B.E. 2477), the modern Thai Government Lottery was officially introduced.
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Initiated by: Colonel Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena (then Prime Minister)
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Purpose: To legally generate revenue for the state
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Original name: Sakak Kinbaeng Ratthaban Thai (Thai Government Lottery)
In its early days, lottery draws were held only for special occasions or to fund charitable causes, such as building hospitals or flood relief efforts.
Underground Lottery – A Parallel Phenomenon Beyond Government Control
Despite the presence of the official government lottery, “underground lottery” (หวยใต้ดิน) began to expand rapidly and uncontrollably after the year 1957 (B.E. 2500).
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It uses the official government lottery results as reference
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Offers higher payout rates than the government lottery
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It is illegal, but operates through localized and well-established networks across the country
As a result, the underground lottery has become a parallel cultural phenomenon — deeply rooted and still thriving in Thai society to this day.
Modern Era – Is Digital Lottery Replacing Paper Tickets?
In 2022 (B.E. 2565), the Thai government officially launched “Digital Lottery” through the Pao Tang mobile application, marking a major turning point in Thai lottery history.
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Sold at the official price of 80 baht, with no markup
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Secure – tickets cannot be lost and can be instantly verified in the app
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Convenient – no need to walk around searching for ticket vendors
Digital lottery was introduced to solve the problem of overpriced paper tickets, reduce reliance on underground lottery systems, and adapt to the habits of modern consumers.
The Social Role of the Thai Lottery
The Thai lottery is more than just a form of gambling — it plays a significant role in the economy and culture, including:
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A source of government revenue: generating tens of billions of baht annually
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A symbol of hope for low-income individuals
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A part of belief systems, dreams, and rituals
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A creator of new millionaires, truly changing lives for some
From Huay Gor Kor to Digital Lottery: A Mirror of Thai Society
From the “Huay Gor Kor” of King Rama III’s era to digital lottery tickets on smartphones, the Thai lottery reflects changes in the economy, technology, and societal values.
Far beyond just a game of chance, the Thai lottery has become a powerful symbol of hope, belief, and behavior — a mirror reflecting the Thai way of life throughout its history.
🎯 Check Every Lottery Result at thailottery.online
If you’re a lottery enthusiast who wants fast and accurate results — without missing a single number — visit thailottery.online, Thailand’s most comprehensive real-time lottery results platform.
You’ll find:
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Government lottery results updated live
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Historical draw data
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Insightful articles on lucky numbers, lottery tips, and more
All in one place — easy to use, mobile-friendly, and built for true lottery fans.
