“Lucky plates’ rake in millions for Phuket

PHUKET: The sixth annual “Lucky License Plate Auction” kicked off today at the Metropole Hotel in Phuket Town with the much sought after Kor Nor 9999 plate selling for 1.4 million baht.

The numbers “8” and “9” are auspicious numbers according to traditional Thai beliefs.

In addition to taking home today’s top seller, motorcycle repair shop owner Jaruk Kaewpunnaray, 30, also forked out for the second-most expensive plate: the 1mn-baht Kor Nor 8888.

Mr Jaruk said the plates were not for himself, but for a man he only identified as his “boss”, who runs a sand and gravel business in Phuket.

Phuket’s “number-one” man, Governor Tri Augkaradacha, also participated in the auction, winning the bid for license number Kor Nor 1111 for a relatively modest 250,000 baht.

Chair of the event and Department of Land Transport Deputy Director Asathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket said it is hoped that this year’s auction will generate more than the 18,745,500 baht brought in last year.

“Last year Krabi made 19mn baht in their second-annual plate auction – the highest amount of any province in the South,” he said.

Nakhon Ratchasima, in Northeastern Thailand (Isarn) generated the most nationwide, earning 27.7mn in their auction last year.

“So, Phuket, please try to beat them. You have the potential to do so,” Mr Asathai said.

Phuket was the first province in Thailand to raise money through a license plate auction, six years ago. For our previous report, click here.

The auction will run for its final day tomorrow, at the Prapitak Ballroom at the Metropole Hotel.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan