Superstitious Sattahip gamblers, always on the lookout for the latest “lucky” numbers got the idea that betting on Royal Thai Navy ships would be a good idea. As word got out, the vessel number for the HTMS Narathiwat became a top seller.
The Navy’s 140-day mission to battle pirates in the Gulf of Aden is seen as positive for Thailand’s image so, naturally, any number connected to it must be lucky.
The HTMS Narathiwat’s vessel number is 512, so those three digits, plus just the 12, are key choices of lottery ticket players. It doesn’t hurt 12 is the date of HM the Queen’s birthday in August.
The lucky hull #512, aka HTMS Narathiwat, sets out for the Gulf of Aden.
Alas, the three number winner was not 512, although close at 052. But lo and behold, the two number winner in the July 16 draw was 12, returning 1,000 baht to everyone who bought a ticket.
There are, of course, two ships making the journey. But the other vessel, No. 871, the HTMS Similan, went on the same mission last year and had very mixed results, so people aren’t buying those numbers as often. Luckily they didn’t, as those numbers didn’t show up in any of the results this time around.
