Anyone hear about Thai people getting certain numbers because it has a meaning for your fortune?

[Sojuncoke]

Like horoscopes? What's the meaning to that?

[Sojuncoke]

I meant phone numbers.

[wym]

Of course, the lucky numbers sell for a fortune, haven't you notice the different tier pricing when you buy a SIM card?

And you have to go to the monk or fortune teller to choose an auspicious day for any major event, housewarming ceremony, getting married, taking a trip etc.

My kids have developed a reputation for picking lottery numbers, the ex's family's always pestering them for numbers.

After a car accident people use the license plate numbers.

If someone doesn't like the way their life is going they go to the monks to find out what new name to choose to change their luck.

Thousands of more examples of this, fundamental to Thai thinking.

[Sam Gold]

It also shows you have the money to change/choose your number, same as having custom registration plates on cars - the Thai "check me out" thing.

[EvilDrSomkid]

It also shows you have the money to change/choose your number, same as having custom registration plates on cars - the Thai "check me out" thing.

There is no such thing as custom license plates in Thailand. Its just that the people who care about getting just that plate pay sometimes more than the car is worth to get it. We're talking millions here.

[ravip]

I guess this is due to what is called as "Numerology." > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerology

Custom license plates?

> http://www.dmv.org/wv-west-virginia/license-plates.php

> http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20474.asp

And just Google "custom licence plates"

Are these really "Thai" things?"

This type of simple customs people the world over do - there is nothing good or bad about it to 'condemn' those people or practices.

Edit

> http://www.confetti.co.uk/relationships/how-to-pick-a-lucky-name-for-your-baby/

> http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/25/royal-baby-prince-george

hmmmmmm...

[noikrit]

And it doesn't stop with the Thais ..... Look at Sports People , Racing Car drivers, Boats Etc Etc ..... Many people have a favourite number ... for many reasons ..The Thais maybe are just a little bit more open about it .......

[alex8912]

I'd say its done a lot more with Thais. My friends entire family all changed numbers last month and they carry around 2 phones everywhere still! I also found out several other friends have changed their names not once but even twice! The license plate thing is the one that takes the most of my understanding. If you are already driving a car that costs 200K ++ in the west. With a consecutive number plate are you really saying "look at me" " look at my car". Or " look at the little piece of metal attached near my bumper"? These are customs/habits I don't have but I try to understand and just let it be.

[Sam Gold]

Are these really "Thai" things?"

This type of simple customs people the world over do - there is nothing good or bad about it to 'condemn' those people or practices.

Edit

> http://www.confetti.co.uk/relationships/how-to-pick-a-lucky-name-for-your-baby/

> http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/25/royal-baby-prince-george

hmmmmmm...

Similar practices occur from one region of the world to another as a result of different underlying sociological trends.

The prevailing factor in the typical Thai act of purchase: it must look expensive.

[MickGC]

The missus has five 9's in her telephone number. How lucky is that !!

[Loles]

Anyone?

Every-one!

What do you thing how can they ask 500 - 10 000 THB for a simple SIM if inside there are multiplied numbers?

I have seen one-time a SIM for sale in MBK for 20 000 THB. They are crazy about these numbers, or every numbers.

In EU and America the people like also the multiplied numbers in phone number but I guess they wouldn't pay extra for it.

[Bantex]

Fools and their money are easily parted.

[Suradit69]

Of course, the lucky numbers sell for a fortune, haven't you notice the different tier pricing when you buy a SIM card?

And you have to go to the monk or fortune teller to choose an auspicious day for any major event, housewarming ceremony, getting married, taking a trip etc.

My kids have developed a reputation for picking lottery numbers, the ex's family's always pestering them for numbers.

After a car accident people use the license plate numbers.

If someone doesn't like the way their life is going they go to the monks to find out what new name to choose to change their luck.

Thousands of more examples of this, fundamental to Thai thinking.

"...fundamental to Thai thinking."

I sometimes wonder if Thai Visa posters have a clue what goes on outside of Thailand. How many advanced western intelligentsia consult their horoscopes daily or refuse to have anything to do with the number 13 or play lottery numbers based on psychic readings or bet on football matches after an octopus tells them what to do or read tea leaves or refuse to walk under a ladder or believe a groundhog can predict the weather or that stock prices rise and fall with the length of women's skirts.

Do you really think Thais have any more ridiculous reasons for choosing lottery numbers or mobile numbers or anything else than people in Europe or America or Australia?

An octopus credited with psychic powers has predicted that Spain will defeat the Netherlands in the World Cup final.

The German zoo animal also predicted a win for Germany against Uruguay in the third place match. He has so far correctly forecast every World Cup game involving the national team.

The tip for Spain was his first for a game not involving Germany.

He predicts by choosing a mussel from one of two boxes bearing the flags of the competing nations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10566287

[Costas2008]

My wife has won the illegal lottery 5 times now by using a combination of the car number plates or her mobile number.

I' convinced......it works!

[wym]

I sometimes wonder if Thai Visa posters have a clue what goes on outside of Thailand. How many advanced western intelligentsia consult their horoscopes daily or refuse to have anything to do with the number 13 or play lottery numbers based on psychic readings or bet on football matches after an octopus tells them what to do or read tea leaves or refuse to walk under a ladder or believe a groundhog can predict the weather or that stock prices rise and fall with the length of women's skirts.

Do you really think Thais have any more ridiculous reasons for choosing lottery numbers or mobile numbers or anything else than people in Europe or America or Australia?

I'm not sure you know what "intelligentsia" means.

The difference is that back home people that do this are mocked as idiots by the mainstream. When it was discovered that the Reagans believed in such nonsense many if not most of the US population thought it should be grounds for impeachment.

Here people are open about it, even public officials, it's considered part of the mainstream reality rather than an odd superstition only held by a very small ignorant minority.

As with ghosts and demons or whatever, in earlier-developed western, cultures people might be aware of such superstitions and even answer "I believe" to a pollster, but they don't actually let such fantasies affect their daily life and actually influence their behaviours.

Or at least not as much - by far - as in more-recently-developed cultures like Thailand.

[lucifer666]

My missus has won the lottery here several times ( small amounts, 4000 baht or so) and she always uses combinations of my phone no. She says it;s lucky because it spells my name ( Steve) when typed on a keypad. Can't say i believe in such things but the proof is in the pudding, and she keeps winning..... I cannot argue with that lol

[wym]

Easy for her to seem lucky when you have no idea how much she's throwing away on such foolishness.

More likely she's winning a very small percentage of what she's spending.