Will you buy the 1 million baht vip card?

[LPCustom69]

Has there been any further announcements as to what the actual benefits will be? Also could one of the people who said they would buy the card explain why. And not just because you can. A lot of people could afford it, but are a little more discriminatory in their purchases.

:cool:

[flackjacket]

Just what I said in another thread, RICH farangs wanted, when money gone, bye bye. After all these years I still cannot understand the stupidity of the successive governments, perhaps it is a death wish.

[thedude]

flackjacket, this is their kingdom and they get to make all the rules, presumably you are not being held here against your will, so if you don't like it, you have the enviable option of returning to your home country or living somewhere else.  

i've seen a few past thai governments in action (which was really entertaining, especially the one led by a certain vertically challenged individual in the mid 90's) and must say that the present one is by far the most committed to making things better, this is not to say that everything they want to do makes perfect sense, but at least they are trying.   consider this, the new administration has inherited an old power structure and bureaucracy whom they need to continue to support in order to make everyday things work, it is not a black and white situation.  you have thousands of senior bureaucrats who are used to a certain living standard that is way above their official salary, they still have to pay for their kids' private schools, they still have to pay off the mortgage, so its not a simple matter to assume that corruption will go away overnight.  what the present administration is doing however, is consolidating the power base, and centralising the decision making at the top, so the only palms that get greased in the end are those that are doing things that are consistent with the administrations policies and schemes...you could say that it is a more efficient use of corrupt money, kind of like how its been done successfully in a country south of the border.

[pschef]

flackjacket, this is their kingdom and they get to make all the rules, presumably you are not being held here against your will, so if you don't like it, you have the enviable option of returning to your home country or living somewhere else.  

Nobody said we are being held against our will, but surely we can voice our displeasure at this government policy. Maybe you have all forgotten about the 30 baht per person health care, or the promise of 1 million baht to each Moo ban that showed they are committed to Thai Rack Thai policy. I am sure my Village still never received that money. I refer to this crazy Idea of village banking; I think this should be discussed on another topic? Sorry George. Plenty of villages are now broke because of this, that love will turn to hate.

[MaiChai]

How about giving farangs 1 Million baht each so they can start up businesses to employ uneducated/unworldly Thais  

Or maybe the government are trying to find 1 Million farangs to cough up 1 Million baht each to pay for the village funds  

[ChiangMaiThai]

I think one way to bring more farangs and their money here would be too clean up all the beaches. Then, ensure national parks are protected as such. And now a bit of a crazy idea. Legalize, or atleast tolerate the smoking of marijuana on designated islands and beaches. Guaranteed, thailand would be on the map for milllions of farangs from backpackers to CEO's.

No I don't want to debate the morality of marijuana smoking and reasons behind alcohol being legal and marijuana being illegal. Just a funny idea for us all to laugh at, which may be effective. Anything will be more effective than this one million baht card.

[wolf5370]

Guaranteed, thailand would be on the map for milllions of farangs from backpackers to CEO's.

You really think so? I would have thought it would just bring in more backpackers who put no where near as much coffers in as do families and tourists of a more decerning nature. Surely these are the people that spend most money with the least impact to the country. Didi it really help Amsterdam? The only people I know who go there are all weed-heads - they spend little except for the drugs and 'window shopping'. Personally, I think Thailand is trying hard (thanks to the present Administration) to clean up its image with regard sex, drugs and corruption. I don't think legalising weed is the way forward whatever our moral predilections.

Legalise prostitution though, now there's an idea. Brings in tax (from the workers and licenced brothels), helps keep diseases away (enforced condoms and health checks), protects the girls, protects the client (both medically to some extent, and makes scams harder), helps remove pedophilia, removes mafia involvement (or at least makes it a legal venture and possible alternative route for said gansters), brothels can be localised away from schools and senative areas and it gives the police a target to aim for in the illegal trades (pedophillia, scams, enforced prositution etc) as they can then see the woods for the trees.

[ChiangMaiThai]

Guaranteed, thailand would be on the map for milllions of farangs from backpackers to CEO's.

You really think so? I would have thought it would just bring in more backpackers who put no where near as much coffers in as do families and tourists of a more decerning nature. Surely these are the people that spend most money with the least impact to the country. Didi it really help Amsterdam? The only people I know who go there are all weed-heads - they spend little except for the drugs and 'window shopping'. Personally, I think Thailand is trying hard (thanks to the present Administration) to clean up its image with regard sex, drugs and corruption. I don't think legalising weed is the way forward whatever our moral predilections.

Legalise prostitution though, now there's an idea. Brings in tax (from the workers and licenced brothels), helps keep diseases away (enforced condoms and health checks), protects the girls, protects the client (both medically to some extent, and makes scams harder), helps remove pedophilia, removes mafia involvement (or at least makes it a legal venture and possible alternative route for said gansters), brothels can be localised away from schools and senative areas and it gives the police a target to aim for in the illegal trades (pedophillia, scams, enforced prositution etc) as they can then see the woods for the trees.

i think you're probably right, that it would attract more backpackers than CEO's and families, but if it was just designated zones. But I do think that in a beach atmosphere  plenty of middle class people would enjoy the freedom...Anyway, I do think legalizing prostitution would be the right thing to do to raise funds, but I don't know what effect it would have as far as increasing farang tourist arrivals. I mean, there doesn't currently seem to be a lack of farang visiting thai prostitutes. A few flash casinos would definitly bring in tourists, but of course they create problems of their own. And I still don't see what good this card will do. I guess we'll see.

[wilson steer]

I think that these cards are foolish, if they actually materialise. Actually, just recently I have been thinking long and hard about leaving the Kingdom of Thailand and residing elsewhere, A shortlist includes Philippines/Cambodia/Laos.

I feel that Thailand is losing it's appeal and the new visa rates don't help along with the terrible corruption, I just feel there might be somewhere better.........

[thedude]

.....A shortlist includes Philippines/Cambodia/Laos.

I feel that Thailand is losing it's appeal and the new visa rates don't help along with the terrible corruption, I just feel there might be somewhere better.........

mr steer, i think your shortlist is no better in terms of the "terrible corruption".  might i suggest the following in asia if corruption is an issue for you :

1.  Japan

2.  Singapore

3.  Hong Kong

4.  South Korea

fact is, what we term as corruption is deeply ingrained in the way most third world asian cultures function, although they may not necessarily view it as corruption.  our view of corruption is derived from the way modern western economies segregate what is and what is not considered to be fair play or fair competition.

[KenUdon]

To the 6 or 7 people who indicated that they would buy the card, PLEASE do tell me WHY you would do such a stupid thing? Can you not see that this is yet another scam to get money out of farangs. When will you realise that they do NOT want us here. They only want our money, and I for one along with many of my friends here are sick of it all, and together with the visa hikes, am not staying around to be ripped off any more. In my case, they will gain 1400baht increase in my retirement visa fee, and LOSE my 65000 baht a MONTH that I spend here!.........Really sound economics!!!

[Thetyim]

I do not believe that the 9 people who voted to buy the

vip-off card really exist.

Some individuals like to mess up poll statistics because they think it is funny.  (adr1313?)

[ChiangMaiThai]

.....A shortlist includes Philippines/Cambodia/Laos.

I feel that Thailand is losing it's appeal and the new visa rates don't help along with the terrible corruption, I just feel there might be somewhere better.........

mr steer, i think your shortlist is no better in terms of the "terrible corruption".  might i suggest the following in asia if corruption is an issue for you :

1.  Japan

2.  Singapore

3.  Hong Kong

4.  South Korea

fact is, what we term as corruption is deeply ingrained in the way most third world asian cultures function, although they may not necessarily view it as corruption.  our view of corruption is derived from the way modern western economies segregate what is and what is not considered to be fair play or fair competition.

But the difference is that Thailand is still just as corrupt, but the various freedoms once enjoyed here seem to be going down the drain since Thaksin became CEO.

I think that when neighbouring countries become as user friendly as Thailand, the LOS will see a lot of farangs going elsewhere.

[wolf5370]

I think that when neighbouring countries become as user friendly as Thailand, the LOS will see a lot of farangs going elsewhere.

True, very true. If especially if you head East or South where the poeple are pretty much just as friendly. The Philipines used to have the same restrictions on land buying for farangs, is that still true?

I don't know what effect it would have as far as increasing farang tourist arrivals. I mean, there doesn't currently seem to be a lack of farang visiting thai prostitutes.

I think a lot of, lets face it, men do come to Thailand with sex in mind (I know that I know loads). However, it is also well rumoured that as much as half the professional ladies in tourist areas carry HIV - surely, that must limit the number of potential visiters. As you said, as other countries become safer and more welcoming, these individuals with move their sights in that direction where they think its cleaner, safer, their money goes further and they are lerssw likely to be scammed (the locals will need to work out the possabilities first).

The card is pointless no one will buy something so expensive that is so vague. It seems nothing more than the usual money off tokens you get in western magazines - worth 1mill? no chance matey!

Maybe those 9 just clicked the wrong button(?)

[Darek]

[Did it really help Amsterdam? The only people I know who go there are all weed-heads - they spend little except for the drugs and 'window shopping'. Personally, I think Thailand is trying hard (thanks to the present Administration) to clean up its image with regard sex, drugs and corruption. ]

Amsterdam does attract all year round a lot of youngsters from neigbouring countries and in weekends its gets extra crowded. Most of them come for blowing and boozing. Its a big industry good for more then € 1 billion per year for the city alone. The central city administration also wants to attract more CEO's that will stay in 5 star hotels and spend their time shopping for diamonds and for that reason "pole dancing" is recently forbidden. Pole dancing is performed on a tiny stage (approximately 50 x 50 cm) with a iron bar; the pole. The bar is necessary in order to keep the performer on the stage; its so tiny that the performer could not make any movement without falling off. The performers were of course girls with little or nothing on. There were not for rent just to get the spectators a bit excited so that they would drink an extra couple of beers.

Window shopping is not such a big thing because of the high prices. Since prostitution is legal, value added tax (19%) plus income tax has to be paid so in the cheapest place you would have to count with € 120 for one hour. Most of the blowing youngsters don't have that king of money and there is no need to pay as they can have the action for free. Although they don't have so much to spend they come in great numbers and so it adds up to a nice amount.

The problem with the CEO's is that there are not so many of them and that there is a limit to the amount of diamonds they will need (unless they have a whole harem).

Owners of bars who see a drop in turnover (also caused by ridiculous high prices for a drink) want to go back to the old rule of "anything goes". Tomorrow is a first confrontation with the city annouced. For the gay pride the city had rules about minimal clothing like in the new social order in Thailand. On national television is announced that all these rules will be defied and that in the parade there will be more nudity then ever. That will attract at least a 100.000 extra visitors. If it leads to a big fight with the police they will come the next years as well.

For Thailand the marihuana is not a good idea. For the youngsters Amsterdam attracts a trip to Thailand is far to expensive. The cheapest fares are around € 600 so it would not bring in anything. If there are that many CEO longing to go to Thailand I doubt as well.

[pschef]

Where are you going Darek? this subject is about 1 million Baht just for a VIP card. Nobody even knows if its true, also nobody knows the benifits :cool:

I just wonder how you got on your topic of, pole dancing" is recently forbidden. Pole dancing is performed on a tiny stage. I think most of us know what that is all about. Lets get back to, would you buy the card or not

I can see your point about Sex Drugs and rock n; roll ::

[plachon]

If I had 1 million baht to blow, the last thing i'd do is piss it up the wall on a VIP card, cos as far as I'm concerned, if you have that kind of money you're already a VIP in Thailand. I might go on more tiows to places of entertainment, golf courses and swish hotels, etc., but I would NOT want to advertise to TAT or any other Thai that I want to be considered a VIP in LOS, or those bar stewards would be spending all their ample free time thinking up ways to screw me and I'd soon be minus a lot more than a million. So like being done in a jewellry scam, don't go crying over spilt milk you 9 jokers who voted "yes".

[KenUdon]

Am looking into the alternatives to LOS (joke) and there seem to be serious advantages to living in the other SE Asian countries already mentioned, which certainly have a more friendly and welcoming attitude to foreigners. Some of them are even ENCOURAGING retired people to go there, Yes, that includes land ownership, long term visas, and a sense of being of value to them as well. Refreshing huh?

Still waiting to hear from ANYBODY who wants the card.......WHY????..........please?

[wolf5370]

KenUdon,

Some of them are even ENCOURAGING retired people to go there, Yes, that includes land ownership, long term visas, and a sense of being of value to them as well. Refreshing huh?

Which contries in particular are we talking about here?

[Payne]

I am quite surprised  how negative the reaction has been to the Thai Privilege Card on this forum when the extent of the "privileges" has not yet been announced.

I, for one, will not form an opinion until the programme has been announced in September. Things that would influence my decesion would include:

Business class  discounts on Thai and Bangkok Airlines

Use of the diplomatic channel at the Kingdom's international airports

Expedited processing of visa applications

limo discounts to downtown Bnagkok

Thai admission prices at national parks

additional duty free allowance for wine import

invitations to royal occasions

speeding ticket discounts

special telephone number at Tourist Police

discounted rate for police body guard service

All these would be important to me, but we will just have to wait and see what the government come up with.

The fact is that there are lots of people in Asia and elsewhere who might be prepared to pay something extra for VIP treatment. If so, let them pay the freight and the Thai Tourism Authority will then  have some extra funds to promote the Kingdom abroad.

[DaveYo]

My fellow friends.  They have already posted some of the benefits of this card as mentioned.  One of them is vip privileges to golf courses, the other is full hospital care if sick or injured, no bill of course, the other is benefits to visa fast track no hassle deal you get what you want type deal, and some other small perks.  As of land ownership that is zip, as of having to have money in thailand, that is a must in order to qualify for the 1m card.  Their targets are limited to those who got the big bucks, like the actors, actresses, those in the diplomatic ranks that have power and those who are richie rich billionaires or multi millionaires.  It does not apply to the common folks like us.  Therefore this card is only to the super high up richie rich do dads who got nothing else to flaunt besides money.  To qualify you have to have 1 million cool cash sitting in some bank someplace in the world and that your earnings have to be at least a million bucks a year verified to qualify.  So I suppose we all can relax a bit cause we common sensible expats will never be involved in this scheme that the government intends to tap.  Imagine, say a famous actor gets sick, he will get waited on hand and foot 24-7 and if he wants something even if he asks for a woman for the night he gets it without question because of the status quo.   That is what the card is meant for.  In exchange for this card the thai government wants that million bucks in their bank account and an investment commitment from them to help thailand.   The details were released not long ago, and I forgot where I saw it.

So the nine people who voted yes must have the million bucks.

   ???    :laugh:  :blues:

[KenUdon]

Use of the diplomatic channel at the Kingdom's international airports

Expedited processing of visa applications

limo discounts to downtown Bnagkok

Thai admission prices at national parks

additional duty free allowance for wine import

invitations to royal occasions

speeding ticket discounts

special telephone number at Tourist Police

discounted rate for police body guard service

Payne. I do hope that this is all tongue-in-cheek. Can't believe you are serious!

[LPCustom69]

Well this new information sheds new light. I guess it's not so bad after all. Sign me up....NOT!

:cool:

[Payne]

Actually KenUdon I am  serious -- these are the sort of perks that would make the Thailand Privilege Card attractive for me. I am not interested in just guest membership at certain golf clubs. Let's see what the TTA comes up with when the new card is offically launched in two or three weeks.

I suggest that all we hope that the card is a success. It will be certainly an interesting experiment.

[PREM-R]

Payne are you one of the people previously mentioned who spend long weekends in Amsterdam? Have you fallen and banged your head recently?

Surely if you have spent any time in LOS you will realise that most of the things you list as suitable 'privileges' to be provided by the Million Baht Card are already available for much less than 1 million baht, its called 'tea money'. :cool:

[Axel]

Let's see what the TTA comes up with when the new card is offically launched in two or three weeks.

I suggest that all we hope that the card is a success. It will be certainly an interesting experiment.

Sounds like I HAD A DREAM.

Diplomatic channel at the border? In Hong Kong, you pay HK$ 500 (abt. Baht 2800) and go through at specific countr in 2 i.o. 60 min. (Rushhours)

I wait for the details and the "guarantees" that it will be implemented. Thinking of BOI-companies, whose priviledges are cancelled by the customs due some minor points, "I am customs, not BOI, you have to pay for duty".

[mrentoul]

Use of the diplomatic channel at the Kingdom's international airports

Does that mean you can bring in what you want, sight unseen, like a diplomatic pouch? Probably not...le't hope not.

I wonder what the golf is like in the Tora Bora caves? Bin Laden might be quite good.

[dariuswolff]

In a move calculated to evoke laughter on an international scale, the Thai Ministry of Farang Exclusion has announced it's new plan for national improvement.

The minister said , "Send all your money but stay away. "

The minister gave partial credit to the American Internal Revenue Service for his idea, indicating he hatched his scheme after an extensive review of IRS policy and simply adding the words "but stay away."

"We have hopes of neary universal voluntary compliance", he added.

[jairak]

I fully agree with the negative comments expressed by Ambassador Don Pramudwinai, especially about the high vunerablity to nationaly security that the scheme could easily be taken advantage of by thousands, hundreds of thousands or more of yet to date no-name "sleepers" of terrorist organizations.....need any more be said?

Second, what guarantee is there that the 100++ businesses and organizations in the scheme today will continue to be around or survive to provide such services throughout the lifetime of card holders or their successors in right or assign?

The first scheme to get cash from weathy foreigners by amending the Land Code to allow foregnors who brought in foreign currency equivalent to 40 million Baht for investment to own up to one rai of land for private residence attracted very few.  Money spent on land and home doesn't qualify as investment.

Now the VIP Card scheme with its inherently unknown real cash value in benefits and national security flaws.   I can't help but wonder how many Thais would rush to buy any such VIP card for the States, the EU or anywhere else???

For totally unknown reasons, the policy makers have over looked the literally thousands or more "cash cows" already resident on Thai soil either by long term leases or limited companies set up with the sole purpose to own a parcel of land on which to build a home.  Suggestion, make them pay annual property taxes (which Thais don't pay) at rates they're already accustomed to in their countries of origin backed by a reasonable bank guarantee of say five years worth of taxes and let them own up to one rai of land for private residence.  It would certainly generate a lot more income than the 1.1% one time lease registration fee and stamp duty or the one time 2.5% property transfer fee and stamp duty.  Add a stipulation that if the annual tax isn't paid on time, they lose their deposit to the government while their property goes on the auction block with proceeds to the government.  For reasons of national security, this wouldn't be practical near any border areas, but would certainly pose no security risks if special foreign residential zones were established in such places as Phuket, Samui, Songla, Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, etc.

[exp9696]

what a bullshit a vip card ,They want ongly the money,en afther a few years ( change the rules ) you can put you vip card in your ass

As a long resident ,i have my own opinion about this things

LET THEM FIRST LOOK FOR THEIR OWN PEOPLE ( THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR 4000 BAHT SALARY ) ,EN THEN LOOK FOR THE FALANG