Thai Lottery 17 December 2026: Why the Draw Moved from the 16th
November 01, 2026 07:45 PM
Last edited: November 01, 2026
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Quick answer: the Thai government lottery that is normally drawn on Wednesday 16 December 2026 will be drawn one day later, on Thursday 17 December 2026, with the live broadcast starting at about 14:30 Bangkok time. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) moved it because 16 December is the day of the royal cremation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at Sanam Luang. A ticket for the "16 December" draw is a ticket for this draw: only the day changes.
December and January draws at a glance
| Draw | Usual date | Actual date | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | Tue 1 Dec 2026 | Tue 1 Dec 2026 | No change |
| 16 December | Wed 16 Dec 2026 | Thu 17 Dec 2026 | Royal cremation of Queen Sirikit |
| New Year | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Sat 2 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| 16 January | Sat 16 Jan 2027 | Not announced yet | 16 January is Teachers' Day; in recent years this draw moved to the 17th |
Why the draw moved to 17 December
The state ceremonies for the late Queen Mother run from 15 to 19 December 2026. On 16 December the royal urn is carried to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang in the morning, and the royal cremation ceremony starts at 16:30. The GLO announced on 13 October 2026 that it would move the draw by one day to join the nation in paying respects on that day. The announcement came from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, who chairs the GLO board, and covers both the 6-digit and the 3-digit government lottery.
Nothing else about the draw changes. It is still held at the GLO office on Nonthaburi Road (Sanam Bin Nam) in Nonthaburi, broadcast live on TV and online, and the prizes are the same: 6 million baht for the first prize on an 80-baht ticket. If you are in Bangkok that week, read our full schedule of the royal cremation ceremonies for road closures, the dress code and what to expect around the Grand Palace.
Is this unusual?
Moving a draw by a day is normal for the GLO when the 1st or 16th falls on a major day. The New Year draw has been held on 2 January for the last two years, and the mid-January draw usually moves to the 17th because 16 January is Teachers' Day. Moving a December draw for a royal ceremony is rarer, and this year the GLO announced the December and New Year changes together, so two draws in a row fall on a different day than usual.
Thai Lottery results 17 December 2026
The full results appear here as soon as the GLO publishes them on the afternoon of Thursday 17 December. You can also follow the latest draw on our Thai lottery page.
Want every prize number and a ticket checker? See the full result sheet for 17 December 2026 on The Lottery Today.
If you are buying a ticket as a foreigner
- Tickets cost 80 baht from street sellers or in the official Pao Tang app. Sellers often ask more than 80 baht; the app does not. See how to buy 80-baht tickets in the Pao Tang app.
- New to the lottery? Our foreigner's guide to the Thai lottery explains the prizes and the rules in plain English.
- Won something? Read how to claim Thai lottery money as a tourist before you go to the GLO office.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Thai lottery on 16 or 17 December 2026?
On Thursday 17 December 2026. The GLO moved the draw from Wednesday 16 December because of the royal cremation ceremony of Queen Sirikit.
What time is the draw?
The live broadcast starts at about 14:30 Bangkok time, and the numbers come in one prize at a time during the afternoon.
Is my ticket for the 16 December draw still valid?
Yes. It is the same draw, held one day later.
When is the next Thai lottery draw after 17 December?
On Saturday 2 January 2027, because 1 January is New Year's Day.
Is 16 December 2026 a public holiday?
When we published this, the government had not announced a public holiday for the cremation day. We will update this page if that changes. See our Thai public holidays 2026 for the official list.
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