Gambling, officially banned but unofficially rooted in Thai culture, is a paradoxical dance of risk and reward. In the small alleys of Bangkok, behind closed doors in Chiang Mai, or in the open fields of Isaan, this passion comes to life. It is not only a game of chance, but also a ritual that is deeply intertwined with Thai life.
It's almost an obsession: Looking for lucky numbers
Twenty million Thais play in an illegal lottery twice a month. They consult spirits, such as Mae Nak, or visit the 'Tree of the 100 Corpses'. This is how you give luck a helping hand.
'Watch numbers'; from the life of a farang in Thailand
Who doesn't laugh when he looks at Man…..wasn't that, popularly referred to as, father Cats? What a wise man!
License plate numbers in Thailand
I've had a thing for car license plates all my life. Call it an anomaly, something everyone is entitled to have some, right? It started when I was a very small boy and to this day I can't take my eyes off the license plate numbers of cars I encounter or pass.
Phone numbers with lucky numbers sold for a lot of money
Within an hour of the start of the auction of 'lucky' telephone numbers in Bangkok, they had already been sold. The top piece, the number 096-999-9999, had a starting price of three million baht, but was even sold for 4,5 million baht.
Auction of lucky numbers mobile phones
Asians and Thais have a thing for numbers. People are therefore willing to pay a lot of money for numbers that should bring good luck, such as the number nine. Capitals are issued for certain license plate numbers and that also applies to telephone numbers of mobile phones. Long live the superstition.