Triple Numbers: Eye-Catching CPs

The triple numbers - 111, 222, ..., 999 - had a particular word in Thai, Tong (ตอง). For instance, 111 could be called 'nueng roi sib ed' (หนึ่งร้อยสิบเอ็ด, one hundred and eleven), 'nueng nueng nueng' (หนึ่งหนึ่งหนึ่ง, one one one), or 'tong nueng' (ตองหนึ่ง, triple one).

The word was probably originated from a traditional Thai card game, Pai Tong (ไพ่ตอง), which was too complicated for me to play. I guessed that the word became popular in daily life because it was short and provided a quick mental grasp.

Some Thai attached significant meaning to these repeating numbers and believed that these numbers could influence one's life. Specific car license and phone numbers were sold at exorbitant prices for luck or showing off the wealth and power in acquiring that unique numbers for personal uses.

The most desirable numbers in Thai language is '999' as it was pronounced 'kao kao kao' (เก้าเก้าเก้า), which is very close to 'kao kao kao' (ก้าวก้าวก้าว), walking or moving forward, signifying progress and advancement.

The '555' which was used in chats for laughing as it could be read 'ha ha ha', making it equivalent to LOL. However, one had to be careful as the 555 in Chinese is 'wu wu wu', the sound of crying.

There were many articles and blogs in Thai that describe the significance and influence of these numbers, frequently in websites that sold mobile phone numbers. Usually, sources were not cited; some though were translated. The funny thing was that they generally gavedifferent meanings. Here are examples for three sources.
  • 111: earnest & sportsmanship, victory, ambition
  • 222: sensitivity & imagination, finance, the stroke of luck
  • 333: braveness & good health, overcoming the obstacle, quick-temper
  • 444: intelligent & cleverness, excellent negotiation, talking success
  • 555: caring & honesty, lots of happiness, abundance
  • 666: tranquility & peace. opportunity, financial wealth
  • 777: hard-working & maturity, travel, repeating suffering
  • 888: well-round ability & strong minded, wealth & happiness, power & authority
  • 999: self-confidence & creativity, lasting victory, world changer
The only one I frequently use was 555. I never personally cared about these repeating numbers. The chance of appearing was equal to any other three-digit numbers anyway, 1 in 1000.


Listed in the Culture page.

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