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Pattaya Lottery Buyers Snap up "72" After U.S. Carrier Visit
Following the departure of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) from Thai waters, its hull number "72" has become a sought-after lucky number among lottery buyers in Pattaya, leading to a surge in purchases. While the visit provided a temporary economic boost, the impact of this numerical obsession on the broader economy remains to be seen.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has departed Thai waters, but the "lucky number" associated with the vessel continues to circulate among lottery buyers in Thailand. The U.S. Navy strike group, centered around the carrier, left Laem Chabang Port in Sri Racha, Chonburi. From September 2nd to 6th, thousands of Marines and sailors came ashore in Pattaya, bringing a temporary boost to the local economy. During this visit, the carrier's hull number, "72," rapidly spread among lottery buyers in Pattaya as a "lucky number." Many individuals purchased lottery tickets featuring this number, and its popularity has persisted even after the carrier's departure. In Thailand, lotteries are a national pastime and often create significant social phenomena. Numbers associated with prominent events or figures tend to attract attention as potential winning numbers. The recent aircraft carrier visit has become another instance of this trend. This phenomenon is having a temporary impact on the local economy. Lottery retailers witnessed tickets related to the number "72" selling rapidly. However, the extent to which this lottery craze contributes to the overall Thai economy, particularly in terms of the economic benefits that military visits are intended to generate, remains to be seen.
Original source
Pattaya News