Verdict On Thailand Elite Card To Be Reached Soon

[Jai Dee]

MOTS says verdict on Elite Card to be reached soon

The Minister of Tourism and Sports revealed that a verdict on whether the Elite Card membership program would be cancelled or not would soon be arrived at.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Suwit Yothmanee (สุวิทย์ ยอดมณ) reported on progress made in a review of the continued feasibility of the Thailand Elite Individual Membership Card. Mr. Suwit said a second review on the Elite Card headed by Ms. Wiraiporn Liwkasemsarn (วิไลพร ลิ่วเกษมศานต์), the deputy secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, has arrived at initial conclusions.

The review found conflicts of interest in the Elite Card program but has yet to finger any responsible parties. Another meeting will be held on February 13 to consider in-depth details.

Mr. Suwit said that a final meeting on February 15 will decide if the Elite Card program should be ended or not.

The matter would also be brought to the attention of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanon and Minster of Finance M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakul for final consideration.

There are currently 1700 Elite Card holders, with the majority being Korean tourists.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 January 2007

[LaoPo]

MOTS says verdict on Elite Card to be reached soon

The Minister of Tourism and Sports revealed that a verdict on whether the Elite Card membership program would be cancelled or not would soon be arrived at.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Suwit Yothmanee (สุวิทย์ ยอดมณ) reported on progress made in a review of the continued feasibility of the Thailand Elite Individual Membership Card. Mr. Suwit said a second review on the Elite Card headed by Ms. Wiraiporn Liwkasemsarn (วิไลพร ลิ่วเกษมศานต์), the deputy secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, has arrived at initial conclusions.

The review found conflicts of interest in the Elite Card program but has yet to finger any responsible parties. Another meeting will be held on February 13 to consider in-depth details.

Mr. Suwit said that a final meeting on February 15 will decide if the Elite Card program should be ended or not.

The matter would also be brought to the attention of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanon and Minster of Finance M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakul for final consideration.

There are currently 1700 Elite Card holders, with the majority being Korean tourists.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 January 2007

Controversial decision they have to make.

On one hand the MOTS and TAT wish to attract more first class tourists, especially also from Korea, and now they're discussing to cancel the Card.

Whether the mostly wealthy Korean tourists (read: Eilte card holders) would be happy if they cancel the Card remains to be seen.

There are probably quite a few influential Koreans amongst the Cardholders. Also Politicians...

Thailand would lose face since the majority of tourism to Thailand is from the East.....not the West.

LaoPo

[johnnyk]

Yes, the Elite Card is certainly the reason so many choose to visit Thailand.

[astral]

Will they be refunding the money if the scheme closes???

[penguin]

Will they be refunding the money if the scheme closes???

Didn't l see the other day that the scheme had lost 800 milion baht so far? If so then l hardly think they will worry about refunds. People who have the card mostly fall in to two categories, those who received it gratis and those who thought it was a bargain and won't miss the money anyway.

[LivinLOS]

Didnt they just have a meeting to decide this ?? and then give it the all clear..

Now only a month on, they are having another meeting to decide it again.. And if all clear next month..

It only takes one failure to close it.. These passes are just a stay of execution..

All those TV posters mocking the Elite card purchasers, ultimately were the wise ones.. Shame as there is a market for the system if handled better and there was some security or faith in the system.

[wintermute]

All those TV posters mocking the Elite card purchasers, ultimately were the wise ones.. Shame as there is a market for the system if handled better and there was some security or faith in the system.

Most of Thailand's tourism schemes have been half-assed or completely detatched from what the consumer wants. This all works into the follies in wanting to attract "high end" tourists with gimmicks.

[sriracha john]

Mr. Suwit said that a final meeting on February 15 will decide if the Elite Card program should be ended or not.

Drum roll, please.......

[LivinLOS]

Is that a fat lady warming up ???

[fft100]

Personally, i wouldnt mind paying extra to get a guaranteed multiple entry visa until i get to 50. I dont want / need to work, and hate paperwork. But i do have property here, and like to be here 10 months of the year.

The free golf green fees make it an interesting proposition. esp. with the free upgrades on thai, and 2 business tickets for the price of one (i know, sad individual, but it is cramped at the back on long haul and the new thai IFE is not bad though the food was better a few year ago )

And being taken through fast track at immigration regardless of the airline i fly with, is becoming a more appealing thought. no queue compared to over 1 hour (last time returning from Hong Kong)

So, compared to getting work permits, filing accounts (with presumably dummy invoices and receipts) and filling in tax forms and paperwork, it does have its attractions.

Options are always good to have. They dont all appeal to all people, but everyone is allowed to make up there own choice at to what works for them.

[old wanderer]

I have spent the past 1.5 hours reviewing threads on the elitre card.

I will take a wait and see attitude, but if it does go forward, I will purchase one.

The way the wife has been purchasing property in Thailand the last few years, the certainty I will retire here, we have acculated close to 20 million baht worth of investments, makes me want to be secure in my visa.

I do like the limo service when I arrive and the VIP line at immigration. (I will have to check if they will take me to my home in Hua Hin or another home 2 hours N of BKK)??

The fee is an amount I can afford, and if not would have to either stick almost the same amount into a usless bank account, (for an O-A visa) or go through the yearly hasle of showing monthly income...just would like to not have the hassel. Will I stay in country more than 90 days at a time?? Yep when I'm 90 maybe, but like they say you can extend the 90 days free of cost.

From all the articles I have read, it seems if they do cancel the elite program they will refund your money, then I can just apply for another visa. (O for wife visit, or O-A for retirement).

I relize some on this board are here because most things are cheap, but for me I am moving because I am sick of the invasion of my country from Mexico, and the taxes. (My home at Lake Tahoe, the government wants $36,000 this year for property taxes, what the hel_l do you do when you are 93, and just want to sit and enjoy the view, and have no income. It is just a matter of time until they throw you out in the snow, sell the house, and distrubute your money to a bunch of lazy, ignorant wortless people that never got off thier ass to do anything in life). I want my lifestyle to be represenitive of what I have achived in my life, now that I can start to slow down and enjoy some of it.

I am also fortunate that I found my quan tah, and have no parinoia about her steeling everything.

[Jingthing]

Jeez, talk about xenophobia!

[LivinLOS]

From all the articles I have read, it seems if they do cancel the elite program they will refund your money, then I can just apply for another visa. (O for wife visit, or O-A for retirement).

ha ha ha... Thanks for that.. Best laugh today...

[TAWP]

Refunding of the money doesn't seem very likely.

[svenivan]

The free golf green fees make it an interesting proposition. esp. with the free upgrades on thai, and 2 business tickets for the price of one (i know, sad individual, but it is cramped at the back on long haul and the new thai IFE is not bad though the food was better a few year ago )

I think you should call one of the golfclubs and ask what your greenfee you have to pay with an Elitecard!

I don't think you will have free golf!

[JXXXL]

I think the value for money would be there if the backers of this thing could guarantee the benefits. However, if you knew anything about Thailand, you would have to be a complete sucker to have confidence in this scheme. And, getting your money back?

[midas]

Mr. Suwit said that a final meeting on February 15 will decide if the Elite Card program should be ended or not.

Drum roll, please.......

but they could easily have another meeting on March 15th to reinstate it ?

[midas]

I have spent the past 1.5 hours reviewing threads on the elitre card.

I will take a wait and see attitude, but if it does go forward, I will purchase one.

The way the wife has been purchasing property in Thailand the last few years, the certainty I will retire here, we have acculated close to 20 million baht worth of investments, makes me want to be secure in my visa.

I do like the limo service when I arrive and the VIP line at immigration. (I will have to check if they will take me to my home in Hua Hin or another home 2 hours N of BKK)??

The fee is an amount I can afford, and if not would have to either stick almost the same amount into a usless bank account, (for an O-A visa) or go through the yearly hasle of showing monthly income...just would like to not have the hassel. Will I stay in country more than 90 days at a time?? Yep when I'm 90 maybe, but like they say you can extend the 90 days free of cost.

From all the articles I have read, it seems if they do cancel the elite program they will refund your money, then I can just apply for another visa. (O for wife visit, or O-A for retirement).

I relize some on this board are here because most things are cheap, but for me I am moving because I am sick of the invasion of my country from Mexico, and the taxes. (My home at Lake Tahoe, the government wants $36,000 this year for property taxes, what the hel_l do you do when you are 93, and just want to sit and enjoy the view, and have no income. It is just a matter of time until they throw you out in the snow, sell the house, and distrubute your money to a bunch of lazy, ignorant wortless people that never got off thier ass to do anything in life). I want my lifestyle to be represenitive of what I have achived in my life, now that I can start to slow down and enjoy some of it.

I am also fortunate that I found my quan tah, and have no parinoia about her steeling everything.

old wanderer if you have been sufficiently astute in business to have accumulated the assets

you have referred to then I simply cant understand why your wisdom doesn't carry through

to seeing what a farce this scheme is ?? it does not compute with me

if you have read so many threads regarding this scheme I'm speechless that as of today

you are still willing to burn one million baht knowing it could fold at any time

[hammered]

One wonders why Thailand doesnt just concentrate on what it does best. Low to mid end tourism (mostly from Asia, but also from Europe) could be probably be boosted even more with a few sensible and not so costly schemes. Low end tourism brings far more money into the country. Encouraging western travellers is another way of increasing tourism. However, maybe these lower end tourists do not spend the money in the high end resorts, spas and golf courses that have been built by the various politicians and their supporters. Concentraing on a relatively small number of people just because they have money to waste is not the way ahead in tourism for a country unless you are Monaco - but then again they have casinos, international festivals and celebrities, and Monaco is tiny.

[Tony Clifton]

From all the articles I have read, it seems if they do cancel the elite program they will refund your money, then I can just apply for another visa. (O for wife visit, or O-A for retirement).

ha ha ha... Thanks for that.. Best laugh today...

Wasn't it mentioned recently that they couldn't even figure out how many were actually sold and that many were handed out as freebies?

[wintermute]

One wonders why Thailand doesnt just concentrate on what it does best. Low to mid end tourism (mostly from Asia, but also from Europe) could be probably be boosted even more with a few sensible and not so costly schemes.Low end tourism brings far more money into the country.

I believe Thailand is trying hard to portray itself as a developed hi-so island getaway. I'm not sure if it's all based on pure economic reasons either a lot of it is probably based on face. Frankly put we all know what Thailand's international reputation is built on and it's not really the beaches.

Encouraging western travellers is another way of increasing tourism. However, maybe these lower end tourists do not spend the money in the high end resorts, spas and golf courses that have been built by the various politicians and their supporters. Concentraing on a relatively small number of people just because they have money to waste is not the way ahead in tourism for a country unless you are Monaco - but then again they have casinos, international festivals and celebrities, and Monaco is tiny.

Thailand will never be Monaco because they don't have the culture, infrastructure, government motivation, or billionaire investors willing to makeover the country. They are trying awfully hard to build a few overpriced resorts to land those clientele though. I think some resorts have mixed success but I have a feeling many of the truly rich and affluent will stay away from Thailand for the time being. If you are that loaded there are many other destinations offering comparable holiday living standards.

[mark lamai]

old wanderer's post had to be a parody filled with irony, surely.

or is he a true example of the quality high net worth individual that thailand wants to embrace?

either way its pretty scary.

[old wanderer]

old wanderer if you have been sufficiently astute in business to have accumulated the assets

you have referred to then I simply cant understand why your wisdom doesn't carry through

to seeing what a farce this scheme is ?? it does not compute with me

if you have read so many threads regarding this scheme I'm speechless that as of today

you are still willing to burn one million baht knowing it could fold at any time

Well since my post amused so many of you... I will explain my thinking on this...

One of the considerations on canclelation of the 1700 elite visa was the cost. If they were not thinking that they would refund the money, then why would they worry about this cost?

Secondly, as many of you found out, (that have been here a while) those that came here and had to place 400,000 baht in an acount for a retirement visa, then the rules were change to require 800,000 baht, they grandfathered those people who had the previous amount, and did not require them to come up to the new standard. If you have an Elite Visa, do yuo think one day they will say as you come through immigration...."Sorry sir, go home and apply for another type of visa"...I think not, unless you were contacted and notified that this type of visa would not be acceppted after a certain date, and here is a refund for what you paid for this visa....

You are not dealing with a bunch of punter, hangling over a 300 baht a night room and if you can bring more than one lady at a time to spend the night....here if you have this type of visa, you proably have some "friends" in Thailand that are connected somewhere in the government.

When I started my buisness at the age of 23, I was an idealist....pure, honest, and believed that truth, and justice would always prevail. What a happy life that was, being a pollyanna. Righ up to the point 10 years later it all went up in a disaterous imbroglio. I went from boy millionare with fast cars, planes, and yachts good whiskey, and too many women (in the 60's that thoght sex was the best recreation), to sleeping on the floor of a house owned my 3 flight attendants, and wasn't getting laid by any of them...I then became more pragmatic about how things really work in life.

So if you really believe that the small group that has purchased an elite visa will be treated with the same cavilier attitude shown to the 30 day visa runners....well nice to have those rose colored glasses.

Do I beleive some of the perks that come with the card could change,,,,yep, but the basic visa I believe will remain, and to me at least having a 5 yr multi-entry visa, with the other cnditions that go with it, are worth it too me.

Why?? Look at your retiement visa....800,000 baht in the bank....that money is not usable, unless you want to leave LOS, and cancel your retirement here. 90 day reporting, yearly re-qualification. The 200k differnce in cost of a Elite Visa is a minor amount to pay for the benifits.

It migh not work for you and your life style, but it does for this old wanderer.

[old wanderer]

old wanderer if you have been sufficiently astute in business to have accumulated the assets

you have referred to then I simply cant understand why your wisdom doesn't carry through

to seeing what a farce this scheme is ?? it does not compute with me

if you have read so many threads regarding this scheme I'm speechless that as of today

you are still willing to burn one million baht knowing it could fold at any time

Well since my post amused so many of you... I will explain my thinking on this...

One of the considerations on cancellation of the 1700 elite visa was the cost. If they were not thinking that they would refund the money, then why would they worry about this cost?

Secondly, as many of you found out, (that have been here a while) those that came here and had to place 400,000 baht in an acount for a retirement visa, then the rules were changed to require 800,000 baht, they grandfathered those people who had the previous amount, and did not require them to come up to the new standard. If you have an Elite Visa, do you think one day they will say as you come through immigration...."Sorry sir, go home and apply for another type of visa"...I think not, unless you were contacted and notified that this type of visa would not be acceppted after a certain date, and here is a refund for what you paid for this visa....

You are not dealing with a bunch of punter, hangling over a 300 baht a night room and if you can bring more than one lady at a time to spend the night....here if you have this type of visa, you proably have some "friends" in Thailand that are connected somewhere in the government.

When I started my buisness at the age of 23, I was an idealist....pure, honest, and believed that truth, and justice would always prevail. What a happy life that was, being a pollyanna. Righ up to the point 10 years later it all went up in a disaterous imbroglio. I went from boy millionare with fast cars, planes, and yachts good whiskey, and too many women (in the 60's that thoght sex was the best recreation), to sleeping on the floor of a house owned my 3 flight attendants, and wasn't getting laid by any of them...I then became more pragmatic about how things really work in life.

So if you really believe that the small group that has purchased an elite visa will be treated with the same cavilier attitude shown to the 30 day visa runners....well nice to have those rose colored glasses.

Do I beleive some of the perks that come with the card could change,,,,yep, but the basic visa I believe will remain, and to me at least having a 5 yr multi-entry visa, with the other cnditions that go with it, are worth it too me.

Why?? Look at your retiement visa....800,000 baht in the bank....that money is not usable, unless you want to leave LOS, and cancel your retirement here. 90 day reporting, yearly re-qualification. The 200k differnce in cost of a Elite Visa is a minor amount to pay for the benifits.

It migh not work for you and your life style, but it does for this old wanderer.

[Meerkat]

I must admit: after the announcement just after Christmas that the scheme was to be allowed to continue, I thought that'd be the end of the question - at least until a new government was elected.

I seem to have been out-flipped - or flopped! This new new review is news to me.

Perhaps that should be the new TAT slogan - Visit Thailand and leave your flip-flops at home; we've got plenty enough over here.

I'll give the girls a shout tomorrow and will post what I get back. Again...

[Johpa]

I have spent the past 1.5 hours reviewing threads on the elitre card.

I will take a wait and see attitude, but if it does go forward, I will purchase one.

The way the wife has been purchasing property in Thailand the last few years, the certainty I will retire here, we have acculated close to 20 million baht worth of investments, makes me want to be secure in my visa.

I do like the limo service when I arrive and the VIP line at immigration. (I will have to check if they will take me to my home in Hua Hin or another home 2 hours N of BKK)??

The fee is an amount I can afford, and if not would have to either stick almost the same amount into a usless bank account, (for an O-A visa) or go through the yearly hasle of showing monthly income...just would like to not have the hassel. Will I stay in country more than 90 days at a time?? Yep when I'm 90 maybe, but like they say you can extend the 90 days free of cost.

From all the articles I have read, it seems if they do cancel the elite program they will refund your money, then I can just apply for another visa. (O for wife visit, or O-A for retirement).

I relize some on this board are here because most things are cheap, but for me I am moving because I am sick of the invasion of my country from Mexico, and the taxes. (My home at Lake Tahoe, the government wants $36,000 this year for property taxes, what the hel_l do you do when you are 93, and just want to sit and enjoy the view, and have no income. It is just a matter of time until they throw you out in the snow, sell the house, and distrubute your money to a bunch of lazy, ignorant wortless people that never got off thier ass to do anything in life). I want my lifestyle to be represenitive of what I have achived in my life, now that I can start to slow down and enjoy some of it.

I am also fortunate that I found my quan tah, and have no parinoia about her steeling everything.

old wanderer if you have been sufficiently astute in business to have accumulated the assets

you have referred to then I simply cant understand why your wisdom doesn't carry through

to seeing what a farce this scheme is ?? it does not compute with me

if you have read so many threads regarding this scheme I'm speechless that as of today

you are still willing to burn one million baht knowing it could fold at any time

I was thinking along similar lines as to how someone who appears to have invested astutely in the past could have failed to do due diligence and invest into a country where real estate laws relative to foreigners, change, and where it appears he is only in Thailand to visit an absentee Thai wife who is busy investing his money into local real estate. I do wish the old guy luck, but my advice is to start getting paranoid a little bit. I have met far too many men who sound exactly like he is sounding who end up back in the US a lot poorer. Make sure you diversify your investments and keep your options open. And by the way, don't keep your hopes too high in obtaining any full refund anywhere for anything in Thailand.

[Phil Conners]

I do like the limo service when I arrive and the VIP line at immigration. (I will have to check if they will take me to my home in Hua Hin or another home 2 hours N of BKK)??

The fee is an amount I can afford, and if not would have to either stick almost the same amount into a usless bank account, (for an O-A visa) or go through the yearly hasle of showing monthly income...just would like to not have the hassel. Will I stay in country more than 90 days at a time?? Yep when I'm 90 maybe, but like they say you can extend the 90 days free of cost.

From all the articles I have read, it seems if they do cancel the elite program they will refund your money, then I can just apply for another visa. (O for wife visit, or O-A for retirement).

2 hours limo ride at the level you will get, cost: ca. 1,000 baht

You don't stick the amount into a useless bank account and lose it. As soon as your extension is processed you are free to use it, in fact that's the whole point. Then next year you're supposed to refill it.

Refunds? :

[old wanderer]

I was thinking along similar lines as to how someone who appears to have invested astutely in the past could have failed to do due diligence and invest into a country where real estate laws relative to foreigners, change, and where it appears he is only in Thailand to visit an absentee Thai wife who is busy investing his money into local real estate. I do wish the old guy luck, but my advice is to start getting paranoid a little bit. I have met far too many men who sound exactly like he is sounding who end up back in the US a lot poorer. Make sure you diversify your investments and keep your options open. And by the way, don't keep your hopes too high in obtaining any full refund anywhere for anything in Thailand.

You cannot assume that all will be well in the future, but yes there are normal safeguards to protect your investments in most any country. Sometimes the unexpected does happen (Look at Zimbabwe and the white farmers.....lost everything, and they were citizens for generations before).

I do not have an absentee wife, as she is with me in the USA. Her dreams have come true for her, and she is content.

The refund part, well like I mentioned, if you are granted a Elite Visa, I do not think they will revoke them, without refund, but most proably will just close the program down since it seems to be not making a profit, but the Visa will remain with those that have purchased them.

If not it is not the end of the world for me.

[backflip]

" Look at your retiement visa....800,000 baht in the bank....that money is not usable, unless you want to leave LOS, and cancel your retirement here. 90 day reporting, yearly re-qualification. The 200k differnce in cost of a Elite Visa is a minor amount to pay for the benifits. "

Well, old wanderer, something's missing besides a few baht in the bank. Common sense. When you have 800K baht in the bank, you own 800K baht. When you buy an Elite card, you own a piece of plastic...and someone else owns your million baht.

The difference between the two is 1.8 million baht for me, and a piece of plastic for you.

[JXXXL]

I was thinking along similar lines as to how someone who appears to have invested astutely in the past could have failed to do due diligence and invest into a country where real estate laws relative to foreigners, change, and where it appears he is only in Thailand to visit an absentee Thai wife who is busy investing his money into local real estate. I do wish the old guy luck, but my advice is to start getting paranoid a little bit. I have met far too many men who sound exactly like he is sounding who end up back in the US a lot poorer. Make sure you diversify your investments and keep your options open. And by the way, don't keep your hopes too high in obtaining any full refund anywhere for anything in Thailand.

You cannot assume that all will be well in the future, but yes there are normal safeguards to protect your investments in most any country. Sometimes the unexpected does happen (Look at Zimbabwe and the white farmers.....lost everything, and they were citizens for generations before).

I do not have an absentee wife, as she is with me in the USA. Her dreams have come true for her, and she is content.

The refund part, well like I mentioned, if you are granted a Elite Visa, I do not think they will revoke them, without refund, but most proably will just close the program down since it seems to be not making a profit, but the Visa will remain with those that have purchased them.

If not it is not the end of the world for me.

Well Old Wanderer, the Thai Elite scheme certainly found their market in you. Too bad [for them] there aren't more around like you to actually purchase the card. You certainly aren't the only one living in Thailand with disposable income, just one of the few foolish enough to spend it on this dead dog. :D