Unusual Weather and the Curious Case of the Thai Lottery
It might seem odd to be in Bangkok and reading about a heatwave in London, but during the last week, it was actually hotter in Britain than in Thailand. Meanwhile, much of Europe has also been experiencing extreme temperatures. The unusual weather even led to an unexpected sight at Wimbledon, where umbrellas were used not for rain but to shield spectators from the scorching sun.
The best approach to dealing with extreme heat is to minimize activity, something that comes naturally in a place like Bangkok. Being in a position that doesn’t require much movement makes it easier to cope with such conditions. British newspapers, however, have been warning of the dire situation. Headlines like “Britain will bake” from the Daily Express and “Heat bomb explodes in Europe” from the Daily Mail made it clear that the situation was serious. The Evening Standard reported on “London swelters,” while citizens struggled to believe that London was warmer than the Caribbean.
This kind of weather is a welcome change from the usual headlines like “Phew! What a Scorcher” that English tabloids used to publish for similar conditions. However, it’s likely only a matter of time before the rain returns, bringing back the traditional use of umbrellas. Rain is more familiar to the English, after all. England is famously known as “The Land of Rain Stopped Play.”
The Many Ways to Say It’s Raining
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of precipitation. According to the famous Paddington Bear, who is considered an authority on English weather, Londoners have 107 different ways to say “It’s raining.” One of the most poetic expressions is “It’s raining cats and dogs,” although no one is entirely sure of its origin. This phrase remains a mystery, leaving room for imagination.
Paddington’s favorite expression is “it’s bucketing down,” which is among the most commonly used. Variations like “pouring down,” “bucketing,” “lashing,” “chucking,” “tipping,” “teeming,” and “pelting” are also popular. There are, of course, less polite versions that are not worth exploring.
Dreams and Lottery Wins
An article in the Bangkok Post by Patiparn Changpoo sparked considerable discussion about the Thai lottery, an important institution in the country. Twice a month, much of Thailand seems to pause as people check their smartphones, TVs, or radios for the winning numbers. After all, the chance to win enough money to retire immediately is rare. More realistically, one might win enough for a wild night out.
According to Thai folklore, dreaming of snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and other creatures could signal a lucky day for the lottery. While I’ve never had success with such dreams, I did once win 200 baht back in the Stone Age.
A History of Scandal
With so much money involved, it’s unsurprising that the lottery has had a colorful history. Readers may recall the Great Lottery Fiasco of 1987, when lottery wheels were used. Suspicion arose due to erratic behavior from the wheels, which became jerky and stopped abruptly. An investigation revealed that six of the seven wheels had been rigged with tiny remote-controlled magnetic devices. This event became known as the “Lock Lottery.”
It turned out that someone was making millions from each draw. Naturally, no one at the Lottery Bureau admitted to knowing anything about it. Eventually, three officials were transferred to inactive posts for “inappropriate behavior.”
Cheating and Cover-ups
After the Lock Lottery scandal, a more secure system was introduced. Every two weeks, “guests” would pick numbered balls from drums. However, at the draw on June 1, 2001, one participant took an unusually long time to select a ball. He then picked the No 1 ball twice, which could have been a coincidence. But illegal underground lottery vendors didn’t think so, as there had been a last-minute rush to buy tickets featuring No 1.
This led to an amusing situation where underground vendors complained to the official Lottery Bureau that someone was cheating. They were right. It turned out that the person picking the numbers had used special contact lenses to see a unique dye on the balls. A committee was set up to investigate, but the matter was never resolved.
Pedestrian Crossings in Bangkok
Recent incidents have highlighted the dangerous situation for pedestrians in Bangkok, where some crossings are little more than traps. These areas lure citizens into a false sense of security, sometimes with tragic consequences. Tourists are particularly vulnerable, often believing that vehicles will stop at these crossings.
While conditions for pedestrians have improved in recent years, especially in major intersections and shopping areas, the authorities still seem to regard pedestrians as an irritation. People who walk are clearly an endangered species.
