What the numbers on a Thai plate mean
Many Thai and Chinese buyers choose a plate for its meaning, not only its looks. Here is how they read a plate, so you can choose one you feel good about.
In short: a plate is read in two ways. In Thai numerology each digit stands for a planet, and digits are read in pairs. In Chinese, digits are read by how they sound: 6 sounds like "fortune", 8 like "getting rich" and 9 like "long lasting". Many buyers also add up all the letters and digits on the plate.
What each digit means
| Digit | Planet (Thai) | Meaning (Thai) | Chinese sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun | leadership, fame, honour | sounds like "first" |
| 2 | Moon | charm, gentleness, imagination | sounds like "easy" |
| 3 | Mars | hard work, courage | sounds like "life, growth" |
| 4 | Mercury | talking, trade, communication | sounds like "death", so some people avoid it |
| 5 | Jupiter | wisdom, knowledge, support from seniors | – |
| 6 | Venus | love, happiness, money, art | sounds like "smooth fortune" |
| 7 | Saturn | patience, strength | sounds like "certain" |
| 8 | Rahu | ambition, taking risks | sounds like "getting rich" |
| 9 | Ketu | the sacred, luck, intuition | sounds like "long lasting" |
Popular lucky numbers
- 9: The most wanted single digit. In Thai belief it stands for the sacred and good luck, and in Chinese it sounds like "long lasting".
- 8 and 88: In Chinese, 8 sounds like "getting rich". 88 doubles it.
- 168: In Cantonese, 1-6-8 sounds like "rich all the way". It is one of the best known lucky numbers among Thai and Chinese buyers.
- 999 and 9999: Three or four nines. Rare, and among the most expensive plates.
- 888 and 8888: Three or four eights, popular with business owners.
- 1234 and 5678: Sequences that stand for step-by-step progress. The DLT keeps these numbers for auction, so they are usually graphic plates.
See plates with these numbers: 9 · 88 · 168 · 999 · 8888 · 5678
Popular number pairs
In Thai numerology you read the digits as pairs next to each other. For example, 2456 is read as 24, 45 and 56. These pairs are chosen often:
| Pair | Planets | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 24 · 42 | Moon + Mercury | charm, people like you, good at talking |
| 45 · 54 | Mercury + Jupiter | speaks well, has principles, support from seniors |
| 56 · 65 | Jupiter + Venus | happiness, good money, support from seniors |
| 59 · 95 | Jupiter + Ketu | good judgement, protection from the sacred |
| 15 · 51 | Sun + Jupiter | honour, trust, kindness from seniors |
| 19 · 91 | Sun + Ketu | fame, good luck, help at important times |
| 69 · 96 | Venus + Ketu | luck, unexpected gains |
The plate sum
Many Thai buyers add up the whole plate: each Thai letter has a value, and you add the letter values and all the digits, including a digit in front of the letters. The province name is not counted.
Example: 9กธ 2233 = 9 + ก (1) + ธ (4) + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 24.
Sums our shop rates as very good: 9, 14, 15, 19, 23, 24, 36, 41, 42, 45, 46, 50, 51, 54, 55, 56.
Sums rated good: 20, 29, 32, 40, 44.
24 is the most popular sum, and many plates on our site have it. Not sure of a plate's sum? Send us the plate on WhatsApp and we will tell you.
Numbers and letters to avoid by birthday
Some buyers avoid the digit and letters linked to bad luck for the day of the week they were born. This applies to the digit in front, the letters and the number.
| Born on | Digit to avoid | Letters to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 6 | ศ ษ ส ห ฬ ฮ |
| Monday | 1 | อ |
| Tuesday | 2 | ก ข ค ฆ ง |
| Wednesday (6:00 to 17:59) | 3 | จ ฉ ช ซ ฌ ญ |
| Wednesday (18:00 to 5:59) | 5 | บ ป ผ ฝ พ ฟ ภ ม |
| Thursday | 7 | ด ต ถ ท ธ น |
| Friday | 8 | ย ร ล ว |
| Saturday | 4 | ฎ ฏ ฐ ฑ ฒ ณ |
Meaning or looks?
Most buyers look at both. Pick a number pattern you like and that fits your budget, then check the pairs and the sum of the whole plate. These meanings are traditional beliefs. Use them to help you choose.
Prices depend more on the number pattern than on the sum. See plate prices.
More guides
Tell us your lucky number
Send us the number you like and your day of birth. We will find plates with that number and a good sum.