NBTC to unveil plan to auction 'golden' phone numbers
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will dust off its plan to auction "golden" mobile phone numbers in a move that is expected to generate Bt1 billion for the state.

Golden mobile phone numbers have the same numbers in a row and are easy to remember like 09-99999999 or 09-89898989.

Paying a premium for golden phone numbers and licence plates is common for people who believe in good luck and prosperity.

The Land Transport Department has auctioned golden licence plates for years.

Korkij Danchaivichit, deputy secretary of the NBTC office and the head of the committee charged with drafting auction rules for the mobile phone auction, said the watchdog planned to auction numbers in the second quarter next year after finishing the regulation details for the auction.

He said the committee's first task was set the definition of a golden number and organise the golden number categories.

There are around 200 numbers that are expected to be desirable.

"We will categorise the numbers by grade A, B , C or lower and set the minimum starting price for each category," Korkij said.

He said prices would vary from Bt1,000 to more than Bt1 million - just like the prices for numbers being sold on the NBTC website.

The NBTC, which is often criticised for being an uneconomical agency, has kept around 10 million golden numbers for years.

"This is part of the NBTC's plan to support the state," Korkij said. "It will be the same pattern as the spectrum auction, in which the NBTC passed on all the revenue to the state coffer."

Korkij's committee has to design an auction model that is accessible for mobile phone operators and the general public.

It is expected to propose the model and final auction plan to the NBTC's telecom committee in the first quarter next year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-to-unveil-plan-to-auction-golden-phone-number-30248395.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-24

passed on all the revenue to the state coffer." bit like fort Knox ?? a well kept secret all but in name only

"Paying a premium for golden phone numbers and licence plates is common for people who believe in good luck and prosperity."

Well if people are dumb enough to pay extra then go for it.

So why does the news give this such hype when they are clearly playing on foolish superstition and peopled hopes and fears simply to make an increased profit?

I guesd you will not be lucky or find fortune if your phone number doesnt match with Thailands set guide on lucky numbers.

What gets me is that the Thais actually believe in this so much that they will spend a fortune to get it.

"He said the committee's first task was set the definition of a golden number and organise the golden number categories."

There's a meeting to avoid.

One can only hope that one day Thailand will consider actually PRODUCING something worthwhile to generate revenue rather than relying on schemes and BS concepts that create no lasting or productive benefit to Thai society. This simply shows Thailand further portrays itself as a lazy, scheming nation where the easy baht is prized more than intelligence and hard work.

"Korkij Danchaivichit, deputy secretary of the NBTC office and the head of the committee charged with drafting auction rules for the mobile phone auction"

Erm......highest bid wins?

One can only hope that one day Thailand will consider actually PRODUCING something worthwhile to generate revenue rather than relying on schemes and BS concepts that create no lasting or productive benefit to Thai society. This simply shows Thailand further portrays itself as a lazy, scheming nation where the easy baht is prized more than intelligence and hard work.

It also panders to the need for face especially amongst the hi-so.

What's the point of being a wealthy somebody unless you can flaunt it with a flashy car and lucky number for example.

Now they will be able to ensure there's jealousy in their social circle by making sure just everybody is made aware of the new phone number.

Money that could be much better spent on something really worth while,

some people have more money than sense,and I suppose that will never

change,only benefit i can see is that it would be easier to remember your

number.

Regards Worgeordie

5 bob and you can buy my number ...

So why does the news give this such hype when they are clearly playing on foolish superstition and peopled hopes and fears simply to make an increased profit?

I guesd you will not be lucky or find fortune if your phone number doesnt match with Thailands set guide on lucky numbers.

What gets me is that the Thais actually believe in this so much that they will spend a fortune to get it.

You make this a Thai thing. Hell, I can guarantee you this would be huge in the U.S. Just look at how many people in the world buy Lottery tickets, based on their "lucky numbers". This has nothing to do with being Thai, and everything to do with being human. Oh, and irrational.

Where can I apply to claim the copyright of the numbers 8 and 9?

They can keep the unlucky number 3 often used in 3rd world...

In keeping with giving happiness to the people wouldn't a national lottery be a much better idea so everybody has a chance of getting one of the "super lucky numbers" instead of simply the rich?

Have a look @

dvlaregistrations.direct.gov.uk

:-)

So why does the news give this such hype when they are clearly playing on foolish superstition and peopled hopes and fears simply to make an increased profit?

I guesd you will not be lucky or find fortune if your phone number doesnt match with Thailands set guide on lucky numbers.

What gets me is that the Thais actually believe in this so much that they will spend a fortune to get it.

You make this a Thai thing. Hell, I can guarantee you this would be huge in the U.S. Just look at how many people in the world buy Lottery tickets, based on their "lucky numbers". This has nothing to do with being Thai, and everything to do with being human. Oh, and irrational.

It is a thai thing because they use their religous beliefs for profit.

The other countries make personalized car plaques and phone for a small fee and lotteries dont charge you extra fee and NONE of them auction this service to the highest bidder

I wouldn't mind having the number 09-87654321

So why does the news give this such hype when they are clearly playing on foolish superstition and peopled hopes and fears simply to make an increased profit?

I guesd you will not be lucky or find fortune if your phone number doesnt match with Thailands set guide on lucky numbers.

What gets me is that the Thais actually believe in this so much that they will spend a fortune to get it.

You make this a Thai thing. Hell, I can guarantee you this would be huge in the U.S. Just look at how many people in the world buy Lottery tickets, based on their "lucky numbers". This has nothing to do with being Thai, and everything to do with being human. Oh, and irrational.

It is a thai thing because they use their religous beliefs for profit.

The other countries make personalized car plaques and phone for a small fee and lotteries dont charge you extra fee and NONE of them auction this service to the highest bidder

DVLA UK: car regs could be expensive, especially the ones @ auctions (highest bidder concept)

So why does the news give this such hype when they are clearly playing on foolish superstition and peopled hopes and fears simply to make an increased profit?

I guesd you will not be lucky or find fortune if your phone number doesnt match with Thailands set guide on lucky numbers.

What gets me is that the Thais actually believe in this so much that they will spend a fortune to get it.

You make this a Thai thing. Hell, I can guarantee you this would be huge in the U.S. Just look at how many people in the world buy Lottery tickets, based on their "lucky numbers". This has nothing to do with being Thai, and everything to do with being human. Oh, and irrational.

The subject is about Thailand and Thai phone numbers, so in the case of this discussion, it appears to be "a Thai thing".

Now we know what Thailand's Hub of Digital Enterprise meant.

555555555 but not 4444444444

How about a lottery where also the less fotunate will have chance to get a special number. Better advertising for the greedy telecomers.

NBTC to unveil plan to auction 'golden' phone numbers

Geeez, I hope my wife doesn't hear about this.

the only golden thing, my little phone can get, is a shower

get it ?