Thailand’s telecoms regulator aims to raise as much as THB1.8 billion ($51.5 million) by auctioning off what it calls “super lucky” mobile numbers.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), with plans to sell 1,000 auspicious mobile numbers, will first hold an auction for 16 VIP numbers in December, which include 099-999-9999 and 088-888-8888, the Bangkok Post reported. The “luckiest” numbers are expected to fetch as much as THB20 million each, and the lot is forecast to raise more than THB100 million.

Thais traditionally consider the number “9” to be the luckiest, while “8” is the luckiest for Chinese. Many of Thailand’s wealthiest business people are ethnic Chinese.

The regulator is drawing up the auction plan and will determine if the sale will be conducted online or via a live auction at its headquarters, the Post said.

The NBTC has been in the headlines over the past couple of months for its approval of a controversial proposal that will require all foreign visitors to use special SIM cards that allow authorities to track their location. NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the new rule is in the interest of national security.

It also set price caps on 3G/4G services, which face strong opposition from all mobile operators.