Licence-plate windfall could benefit society
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Re: "Car plate sells for record Bt25m", National, October 1.
In the 11 years that “auspiciously numbered” car licence plates have been auctioned off to maintain the government’s Road Safety Fund, more than Bt320 million has been raised, about Bt30 million per year.
There has been criticism of this week’s record winning bid of Bt25 million for a single plate, given that the sedan car for which it was intended is worth about one-fiftieth of that amount. But it’s common for people who have the ability to pay to do so in the belief that the plates will bring them good luck.
This indirect contribution will significantly boost the safety fund and might help foster a culture of safe driving, which has badly needed amid the increasing number of serious road accidents.
Sutipunt Bongsununt
Kanchanaburi
