As the February 8th Thai general election approaches, a controversy about "lotteries" has stirred up waves in both the political arena and among the public. Multiple anti-gambling groups have formed a coalition, publicly demanding that political parties stop using the "government lottery plan" as an election promise, arguing that it entices voters with unrealistic fantasies of sudden wealth. Although no specific names were pointed out, it is clear that the main target is the party that proposed the "nine millionaires a day" plan. The anti-gambling groups cited data stating that a large number of Thais are deeply involved in lottery games, with 27.5 million people purchasing government lotteries and 22 million people buying underground lotteries in 2023, far exceeding other forms of gambling. Critics believe that political forces should not encourage this trend, especially to protect vulnerable groups such as children and youth.
Controversial Focus: Creating Nine Millionaires Daily
The core of the strong dissatisfaction among anti-gambling groups is the "nine millionaires a day" scheme proposed by the Pheu Thai Party in its campaign platform. This plan sounds quite tempting: every day through a lottery, 9 people win a prize of 1 million Thai Baht (approximately $31,700), with four spots reserved specifically for farmers, seniors over 60, volunteers, and taxpayers. The prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party explained that this "grand" policy could expand the tax base, boost the economy, and promised that if re-elected, it would create more than 26,000 millionaires over eight years. However, critics sharply pointed out that this is using gambling to solve economic problems. Some media comments directly stated that the plan is akin to "betting on corruption to save Thailand's informal economy", reminding voters not to be fooled by "election lotteries."
Market Status: The Vast Scale of Official and Underground Lotteries
The anti-gambling alliance in a joint statement revealed the astonishing scale of the Thai lottery market, as well as the risks that policies might bring:
•Wide Audience: Lotteries are the most "addictive" form of gambling for Thais. Each year, more than 400,000 new buyers enter the market.
•Underground Proliferation: Up to 22 million underground lottery buyers, nearly 80% of its legal size (government lotteries). This shows that strict legal restrictions have not curbed demand but have instead fostered a huge black market.
•Social Harm: The groups pointed out that lotteries are legally defined as gambling, which erodes vulnerable groups and directly leads to the spread of underground lotteries.
These data have become the core arguments for anti-gambling activists against any form of "policy lottery," believing that it will only further stimulate an already overheated speculative mentality.
Political Background: From Casino Proposals to Election Promises
This controversy occurs against an intriguing backdrop: Thailand strictly prohibits most forms of gambling, allowing only government lotteries and horse racing. Last year, a bill aimed at introducing large integrated resorts (IR) with comprehensive casino legalization did not pass, also pushed by the Pheu Thai Party, and had attracted interest from international giants like MGM and Galaxy Entertainment. An American entertainment group had shown interest but ultimately withdrew due to political instability in the country. From ambitious casino plans to the current "livelihood lottery," Thailand's major political parties have repeatedly faced setbacks in gambling-related economic policy attempts, reflecting the country's complex social divisions and political realities on this issue. For observers interested in Southeast Asian political-economic dynamics and gambling policy evolution, Thailand's case provides a window to analyze policy motives, social acceptance, and potential risks. For more in-depth analysis of policies and markets in the Asia-Pacific region, please continue to follow the PASA official website.
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