Elite Card

[Axel]

Where is the problem? If T. hears that somebody calls him 'fearless leader' he probably will be proud of the nick name.

[Johpa]

On the other hand, stiffing CNN for such a large sum may cause CNN to bring some much needed international media scrutiny to the corruption of the Toxin regime.

[sriracha john]

Interesting articles in friday's Nation about Elite and CNN... seems everything was done on only a verbal contract through a 3rd party?.... also another member of the board of directors resigned as had 5 others previously over the past few weeks leaving the board without a quorum... and putting EVERYTHING regarding the Card's business on hold apparently.

I saw samples of the bill-disputed advertising on tv that was produced for the card. Very professionally produced and can completely understand that they are charging millions for it. The ads are actually VERY LAUGHABLE for their content, however, as the card ad completely lies and paints such an exotic lifestyle available with the card.

with the mass resignations of the controlling board and missing funds through shady deals... i'm adding one plus one.

[Axel]

It still is fascinating. The 'club' is supposed to be a multi-million-operation and I am not talking about Baht. But nobody seems to know even who ordered and/or authorised the purchase of the ad-slots.

CNN is more or less silent, perhaps they did not deal with TPC directly? According to TPC MD an advertising broker was in between, a company called Thai Representation Co. Ltd. Possible they did pay already but not got paid by TPC?

I doubt it, as brokers usually work for a percentage without direct commitment.

Oh well. Three committees will be investigating. When they are ready to submit their findings perhaps TPC board will have changed again.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

It still is fascinating. The 'club' is supposed to be a muli-million-operation and I am not talking about Baht. But nobody seems to know even who ordered and/or autrhorised thepurchase of the ad-slots.

CNN is more or less silent, perhaps they did not deal with TPC directly? According to TPC MD an advertising broker was in between, a company called Thai Representation Co. Ltd. Possible they did pay alreadyu but not got paid by TPC?

I doubt it, as brokers usually work for a percentasge without direct commitment.

Oh well. Three committees weil be investigating. When they are ready to submit their findings perhaps TPC board will have changed again.

They have had a B I G run of outs haven't they ?

[Axel]

Dr. you are toooo fast this morning. Had to correct my typing errors

caused by Saturday-night fever.

Too many outs on the top. On the bottom I recall from last November, "we have been delegated to the club and just do our job".

Moneywise snowball systems will never work, but I hope to find a new Merc, soon.

Those I saw, owned by TPC, are in top condition. maybe they accept 1 million for a car? Now this would be worthwhile to invest.

[stumonster]

CNN is more or less silent, perhaps they did not deal with TPC directly? According to TPC MD an advertising broker was in between, a company called Thai Representation Co. Ltd. Possible they did pay already but not got paid by TPC?

I doubt it, as brokers usually work for a percentage without direct commitment.

who's son has an advertising company.

I have also been wondering who owns those blue/white advertising billboards which were erected along tthe don muang freeway.

[Axel]

Getting somewhere stumonster, just retrieved BKK post from Sept. 23 (business)

They quote the TPC-MD, Khun Chokesiri Roidboonpa a saying that Thai Representation Co. Ltd. is owned by a Anthony Sharmar...

[stumonster]

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20...42559-1021r.htm

 

Thailand's Elite Card disappoints

By Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop

UPI Business Correspondent

Singapore, Singapore, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The idea was highly original: the world's first country membership club where members would be entitled to a lifetime of VIP treatment and benefits. Yet nearly a year after it has been launched, the Thailand Elite Card has generated little interest from the well-heeled tourists and powerful businessmen it was targeting.

The brainchild of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the "Thailand Elite Card" cost a mere $25,000 for individual and $50,000 for a corporate membership (two members).

"The aim is to attract the long term and high-spender tourists, as well as investors," says Suebwong Sukamongkol, whose company Patco Siam Holding represents Thailand Elite in Singapore and Malaysia.

Sukamongkol denies the original target was to sell 100,000 cards this year. "This was just a general idea given of the potential of the card. The target was 3,000," he says, "plus we're not focusing on the number, but the quality of the members. We are trying to attract investors." He also insists no card was given away.

Sukamongkol is optimistic that the new law will be passed within the next two years. "Once the law is passed, there should be much more interest into the card," he adds

The government has insisted it will not back down from the Elite card project.

http://www.thailandelite.com/thailand_elit...ite_profile.php

whois

Registrant:

McCANN WORLDGROUP (THAILAND) LTD.

29-30th Floor, Bangkok City Tower,

179/120 -179/125 South Sathorn, Road,

Thungmahamek,

Sathorn, Bangkok 10120

TH

Domain name: THAILANDELITE.COM

http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/whoi...equestid=141824

[sriracha john]

The government has insisted it will not back down from the Elite card project.

"By God, we'll stick with this program, even if it means bankrupting the whole government treasury...."

btw, the elite card folks have even said now that they were under the impression that some of the advertising was being provided for free????!!!! HAHAHAHHA... yeah, like some public service announcement.... HAHAHAHAAHA..

[stumonster]

so have any "rich "thai business( or other ) people purchased these cards.

ok so they won't be worries about visa's and land ownership...

but , the VIP service at the airport

the special prices at resorts and golf club...

and the opportunity to network with CEO'sof all the big names

or do they see it for what it is?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The Fearless Leader saved the Thai people. Thai's are not permitted to buy the card. Saving them from themselves.

[Thetyim]

Sorry you are all wrong because it hasn't even started yet.

I have just visited the "elite card newsletter" at www.tradepointthailand.com/elitecard/newsletter/newsdoc/200406.html

and it says...................

"It was marked as the first time a country membership of such ground breaking program which was introduced in November 2004"

[sriracha john]

Sorry you are all wrong because it hasn't even started yet.

I have just visited the "elite card newsletter" at www.tradepointthailand.com/elitecard/newsletter/newsdoc/200406.html

and it says...................

"It was marked as the first time a country membership of such ground breaking program which was introduced in November 2004"

Hmmm... that was just a silly typo. It should have read:

"It was marked as the first time a country membership of such ground breaking program which was ended in November 2004"

[Axel]

...such ground breaking program which was introduced in November 2004"

Thetyim, very nice, took me 2 times scrolling to find it.

sriracha john, cannot close in November, 3 committees still working for the next 2-3 months to find out who authorized the commercials.

[sriracha john]

sriracha john, cannot close in November, 3 committees still working for the next 2-3 months to find out who authorized the commercials.

but now that a majority of the Card's board of directors have resigned, they aren't able to even have a quorum to meet.

[phaw-boon-tham]

ELITE CARD PROMOTION: Golf-course plan lands in bunker

Published on Oct 5, 2004

Lack of funds forces operator to focus on club management

Thailand Privilege Card Co has further dented its already battered reputation by admitting that it cannot afford to proceed with a Bt2.5-billion investment to develop golf courses.

The company, which operates the Thailand Elite Card scheme, said it does not have the money to invest in projects in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, and Ranong, and now plans to concentrate on golf course management rather than direct investment.

The latest setback comes hot on the heels of other blunders in the past year that have damaged the firm’s credibility.

The company became embroiled in a scandal when it recently emerged that it owed the CNN television network Bt140 billion for a television advertising campaign.

The company’s budget spending has been probed, and Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan is also the subject of a related probe that will take another two months to complete.

The firm has lost six directors in the past year, making it impossible to hold board meetings with the remaining five directors.

The government’s ambitious Elite Card scheme has encountered numerous stumbling blocks, resulting in heavy financial losses and internal management conflicts.

A 620-rai site in Chiang Mai and a 480-rai plot in Hua Hin were selected to be transformed into golf courses, scheduled for completion by the end of next year. The company also signed contracts with the Royal Thai Army to invest Bt1 billion in golf course developments on two Army-owned estates.

Three additional sites in Bangkok, Phuket and Ranong are owned by the Army, the Navy and Treasury Department, respectively. The combined investment for the three courses was estimated at Bt1.25 billion. However, the projects were scrapped when six board members resigned en masse.

The company has so far sold only 303 membership cards for Bt1 million each, which promise hotel, spa, restaurant, golf course privileges and other benefits.

Choksiri said the company is now going into golf course management, rather than investment and will cooperate with private golf course operators to provide services to its card members.

Meanwhile, company executives held a meeting yesterday to discuss plans for next year.

TAT deputy governor Santichai Euechongprasit said the Thailand Elite Card should be able to garner more members in the future. However, the company needs to recruit new directors first, a process that will take about two weeks.

Sources said the company’s board might be joined by Suthep Seubsantiwong, senior executive of Thai Airways International, Saksith Krairiskh, permanent secretary of the Sports and Tourism Ministry, and Pornsiri Manoharn, deputy governor of the TAT.

After the appointment of Choksiri Rodboonpha as managing director earlier this year, the company branched into golf course development in an effort to make Elite Card membership more attractive.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

[rod_kalashnikov]

 

[sriracha john]

Whoever did the market research for the Elite Card should be castrated.

It was Thaksin's idea from the start...

sell the target 100,000 cards

Thaksin envisioned selling ten times that amount or 1,000,000 cards

[Axel]

Rod, good idea. I would even go a step further.

100 K, renewable every 5 years, would be value for money. The visitors coming to here 4-5 times a year would like the prestige, might use the discounts. The farangs living here would easily recoup by saving limo-fees to/from the airport.

The club would no longer be 'Elite' (whatever this means) but could make money.

[stumonster]

The company has so far sold only 303 membership cards for Bt1 million each, which promise hotel, spa, restaurant, golf course privileges and other benefits.

The company was originally expected to sell 100,000 cards at a Bt1 million each, but so far, Choksiri said, it has found only 660 customers

do the reporters question the numbers, or do they just copy the press release word for word?

the outlook is very bleak.

[penelope]

Were there ever any strategic alliances made between ELITE and Thai Airways ? The Elite experince should begin when you board the flight.Elite members should get First Class discounts, upon arrival should immediately be accompanied off the flight by a personal assistant and processed throught the airport privately,quickly and discretely to their awaiting limo.Luggage has been pre-collected and loaded into the limo etc.....

All I ever see at the airport is an empty Elite immigration booth. Wuha baby !!

[The Coder]

I nominate Rod to the board! That idea sounds workable. Offer a 100K baht, 5-year renewable "elite-light" card that has the 5 year visa and some of the general interest amenities like fast track at the airport, discounted tickets, mercedes shuttle, and such. That's something that would be very low overhead for them to offer and encourages lots of people to be loyal in visting Thailand due to the discounts, conveniences, and unlimited duration of stay. It taps into the prized segment of tourists willing to spend generous amounts of money which TAT would love them for. But conventional wisdom says the new board will simplly spend their time studying what to blame for their failings.

[Darth Bangkok]

The company has so far sold only 303 membership cards for Bt1 million each, which promise hotel, spa, restaurant, golf course privileges and other benefits.

The company was originally expected to sell 100,000 cards at a Bt1 million each, but so far, Choksiri said, it has found only 660 customers

do the reporters question the numbers, or do they just copy the press release word for word?

the outlook is very bleak.

they copy word for word... except when they spell things wrong

[Crushdepth]

The company became embroiled in a scandal when it recently emerged that it owed the CNN television network Bt140 billion for a television advertising campaign.

Just curious - has anyone ever actually *seen* one of these ads ?

The company’s budget spending has been probed, and Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan is also the subject of a related probe that will take another two months to complete.

The firm has lost six directors in the past year, making it impossible to hold board meetings with the remaining five directors.

Now that doesn't sound dodgy, does it ? Looks like the directors are evaporating just as fast as the cash...

[samran]

Somchainuk Engtrakul has been spending his last years as MOF Permanent sec getting into all sorts of deals to recoup the 'fee' he payed to his predecessor to get his job. The sucking sound that usually eminates from his office has gone quiet for a bit.....which is very gratifying to know.

[samran]

The company’s budget spending has been probed, and Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan is also the subject of a related probe that will take another two months to complete

She has a very high maintence daughter to maintain, who is ensconsed in TAT's London office.

[Axel]

Were there ever any strategic alliances made between ELITE and Thai Airways ? The Elite experince should begin when you board the flight.Elite members should get First Class discounts, upon arrival should immediately be accompanied off the flight by a personal assistant and processed throught the airport privately,quickly and discretely to their awaiting limo.Luggage has been pre-collected and loaded into the limo etc.....

All I ever see at the airport is an empty Elite immigration booth. Wuha baby !!

Actually, yes and it works, you inform the club in advance and the limo is at your downtown residence (or hotel) on time. At the airport 2 reps check you in (any airline but international only), bring you through immigration and to the lounge (or gate).

Upon return, the reps are waiting at the airliners' door, bring you to immigration (Elite counter) and the the arrival lounge. They pick up the luggage for you and bring it through customs (might call you if something questionable) and pick you up from the lounge once the luggage is in the boot of the limo. (Luggage has some Club-stickers)

Actually all this works, only a bit expensive at 1 million.

Special deals with TG, yes. C-class or F-class two for one and 25% (if my memory is correct) discount on TG if you travel alone.

A problem, of course, many people do not like TG (incl. the 'founder' of the idea, who soon will use Airforce 1 and said b4 TG sucks.

The 2 for 1 is not really 50% disount. Example BKK-SGN-BKK on business is around Baht 13000. Full paid: 19000 and the deal only works for full paid tickets.

Same for the discounted tickets. Discount only on full fare.

So the service is (was?) basically OK. The price exorbitant.

I did the calculation once, use TG only, use the free limo i.o. paid limo (not taxi)

leave and return to LoS at least twice a month and you saved Baht 1 million in 4-5 years. Early this year TPC had announced already to increase the price for people living in Thailand due to too much use.

The last point: Visa. That is glued to your p\port, valid for 5 years and give you 90 days every time you arrive.

Calculation by the Club, plain nonsense, as there is only a one time payment it becomes a snowball system, means it only works if you always find new customers. The price of 1 million. Absolutely misjudged.

When you live in EU, US or Oz or whereever you do not come twice a month to Thailand, maybe 8 times a year. You do not need a visa, 30 days exempted is enough.

Oops, too long, already, as said I did study last year in detail, decided against, just because too expensive and visa does not allow to apply for a WP.

Other benefits you can forget. Hotel deals, free massage. Golf? Doubtful, IMHO, when you want to play on weekend free of charge, the golf - place might be fully booked.

Anyway, this thing is doomed from the very beginning. I felt so last Nov. and I feel more so now.

Btw: Electric carts are always at th airport, around gates 80....82 a.s.o.

Free of charge but a big tip box.

[Axel]

Some fair comments in THE NATION, Oct. 6/04:

In any business, one not only has to maximise profits but also minimise losses. TPC should be allowed to fold before more money is lost and more scandals surface. Not only has this scheme been excessively costly, but it has also taken away resources that would otherwise have been used to better promote Thailand’s tourism industry amid a fast-changing world.

Pana Janviroj

Full article here: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/

use search and type Elite to get:

MIRROR SITE: Elite Cards: it’s time to cut our losses now

[toopeekaa 1]

Axel

[Anyway, this thing is doomed from the very beginning. I felt so last Nov. and I feel more so now.

/QUOTE]

HEY OVENMAN HOW ABOUT " BANGKOK, THE HUB-A-CLUB FLUB "

Only about 3 men in the club anyhow... de butcher, de maker, ___________ [open for suggestions, u fill in de blank]

A problem, of course, many people do not like TG (incl. the 'founder' of the idea, who soon will use Airforce 1 and said b4 TG sucks.

I THINK ITS UNFAIR TO LET KN. T CALL THE NEW RIDE "AIRFORCE 1 ", AFTER ALL THE NAME HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN.

HOW ABOUT QUESTIONING MOVING UP A LITTLE SAY LIKE "AIRFORCE 2-WHAT? JUST A SUGGESTION.

and do I understand this correctly.... the group [company] who screwed up and created this entire boondoggle, are now going to look or apply for management jobs??????? TIT