In August 2003, Thailand's Land Transport Department organised the country's first ever auction of uncommon and lucky license plates to address complaints that corrupt officials were secretly selling lucky numbers or giving them to well-connected patrons. Communications minister Suriya Jungrungraungkit attended the auction, and left with the COVETED number 9999. His high bid? Four million baht ($95,000).

Jungrungraungkit later called his plates a good investment: "Who knows, I may sell this 9999 number to another person for (more) one day. This is better than investing in the stock market."

Note: The number nine is considered lucky by Thais because of its association with the country's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose royal title is King Rama IX.