2,000 New Elite Card Users Targeted In '05

[george]

2,000 new Elite Card users targeted in '05

BANGKOK: -- A provider of the Thailand Elite Card has announced plans to enrol 2,000 new members this year from three specific target markets.

The president of Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), Choksiri Rodboonpha, said the company would expand marketing activities as the firm shifts its product focus and customer base.

"The new business concept is different from the past, when we needed a large amount of members. These days we are targeting members by invitation only," he said.

The new marketing strategy will be launched in June.

Choksiri said the three membership categories include Elite Moment, which will focus on Asian customers with an emphasis on golf, shopping and spa treatments.

The second is Elite Connection, aimed at international investors, and the third is Elite Living, which is expected to attract people over 50 who wish to retire in Thailand.

The company expects that Elite Connection members will comprise 50 per cent of its base, followed by Elite Moment with 40 per cent and Elite Living with 10 per cent.

Choksiri said that 65 per cent of new membership would come from Asian markets and the rest would be from Western countries. TPC anticipates that the new members will generate membership fees of Bt2 billion.

The firm expects some

members will also make investments in Thailand, generating more than Bt23 billion this year.

"We are in talks with an Australian member who wants to invest Bt10 million in an eco-tourism business in Thailand. Another Australian will invest Bt3 billion in moulded automotive parts, while a Hong Kong member plans to start a biotechnology company with an investment cost of Bt100 million," Choksiri said.

The company currently has 824 members from all over the world. That figure is lower than previously announced expectations for the first year.

The company also revised its long-term target membership from one million to only 20,000 members for the next five years. The lowered target should allow the company to be more selective in inviting new members.

It also plans to increase the membership fee from Bt1 million to Bt5 million in 2010.

To introduce more benefits and privileges, TPC has joined with world-class hotels such as The Oriental Hotel Bangkok, The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai, Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Shangri-la Hotel and the InterContinental.

The company will also offer a three-day, two-night vacation package for US$1,000 (Bt39,500) including full-service accommodations, spa treatments, transportation and 24-hour butler service.

Last year the company earned Bt700 million from membership fees.

Their members used their Elite cards a total of 14,000 times last year, with Bt2 billion in associated revenues.

--TNA 2005-04-25

[Humphrey Bear]

In Singapore the Elite Card agent was based in Clarke Quay. The office is now my construction office for redevelopment there. Do not know where the place is now, they left no forwarding address.

It was just an adjunct to a run-of-the-mill tourist agency, not even one of the exclusive agencies.

No marketing strategy whatsoever.

[Tornado]

This government pisses me off!

They always look at what they havent got and forget about taking care of what they have got!

Being a investor here myself (well over 3 mil US), all I get is tax increases, changes to work permit rules, company charge increases and problems with government officials jealously.

Dont invest here, ###### em!

[Axel]

Perhaps, I wait until 2010 when the membership fee is expected to be

Baht 5 Million.

From Thai newspapers this morning learned that membership fees are still one million baht for all three packages, plus an annual fee of 40,000 baht.

Means there will be some more income. Unclear what happens to the present privileges, like airport limosine? Might be cancelled, as too expensive.

Free massage? Free annual health check-up?

As said, wait and see.

[ayakiawe]

why pay a cockroach (malang sap) that kind of money?

get me the Raid (bug spray) is more like it!

[george]

Struggling programme revamped with new goals

CHIANG MAI: -- Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), the company responsible for the Thailand Elite Card programme, plans to refocus operations with the aim of attracting 2,000 world business leaders as members and 10 billion baht in new foreign investment this year.

The goal seems optimistic to say the least, considering that the programme, established in 2003 by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has fallen well short of its original target of selling 100,000 cards at one million baht each. The programme also came under investigation last year over 149 million baht in advertising debt owed to international media such as CNN, Time and Fortune magazines.

But Choksiri Rodboonpha, the TPC president, said he was confident that the agency could meet its goal of helping promote Thailand on the international stage and drawing new foreign investment.

Membership invitations will go to people who are not just looking to play golf in Thailand, he said, but rather to established entrepreneurs who may make significant investments in the country, whether in properties or new business ventures.

Prospective candidates will be screened from databases compiled by Thai embassies and chambers of commerce in different markets, with applications cross-examined by immigration authorities in each country, Mr Choksiri said.

The card programme offers a number of privileges, including fast-track immigration procedures, substantial discounts from local spas, hotels and golf courses as well as limited land ownership rights for foreigners.

The TPC has recently revamped its offerings. Rather than a single package, three different options will now be offered starting in June to appeal to different market segments: Elite Moments, a leisure-oriented package; Elite Connections, a business networking programme; and Elite Living, aimed at those in retirement or looking for health services (see table).

Membership fees are still one million baht for all three packages, plus an annual fee of 40,000 baht.

According to Mr Choksiri, 50% of the new members are expected to be for the Elite Connections programme, in which the TPC will serve as a liaison to facilitate business links between foreign businessmen and local counterparts.

Another 40% of TPC's projected new members this year are expected to sign up for the Elite Moments package, with the rest purchasing the Elite Living option.

"It's a clear trend that you need to segment in marketing tourism packages," Mr Choksiri said. Of the 2,000 targeted new members this year, 65% are expected to come from Asian countries, with the rest from European nations.

Membership in the Elite card programme now stands at just 824. The TPC estimates that the members spends around 350 million baht in Thailand each year.

Within five years, the TPC estimates its membership will grow to a limit of 20,000, Mr Choksiri said.

Membership numbers will be capped, he said, with TPC eventually adopting a new pricing strategy as the availability of slots declines, with membership fees potentially rising to as much as five million baht each in order to maintain the exclusivity of the programme.

--Bangkok Post 2005-04-25

[ray23]

Struggling programme revamped with new goals

CHIANG MAI: --  Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), the company responsible for the Thailand Elite Card programme, plans to refocus operations with the aim of attracting 2,000 world business leaders as members and 10 billion baht in new foreign investment this year.

The goal seems optimistic to say the least, considering that the programme, established in 2003 by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has fallen well short of its original target of selling 100,000 cards at one million baht each. The programme also came under investigation last year over 149 million baht in advertising debt owed to international media such as CNN, Time and Fortune magazines.

But Choksiri Rodboonpha, the TPC president, said he was confident that the agency could meet its goal of helping promote Thailand on the international stage and drawing new foreign investment.

Membership invitations will go to people who are not just looking to play golf in Thailand, he said, but rather to established entrepreneurs who may make significant investments in the country, whether in properties or new business ventures.

Prospective candidates will be screened from databases compiled by Thai embassies and chambers of commerce in different markets, with applications cross-examined by immigration authorities in each country, Mr Choksiri said.

The card programme offers a number of privileges, including fast-track immigration procedures, substantial discounts from local spas, hotels and golf courses as well as limited land ownership rights for foreigners.

The TPC has recently revamped its offerings. Rather than a single package, three different options will now be offered starting in June to appeal to different market segments: Elite Moments, a leisure-oriented package; Elite Connections, a business networking programme; and Elite Living, aimed at those in retirement or looking for health services (see table).

Membership fees are still one million baht for all three packages, plus an annual fee of 40,000 baht.

According to Mr Choksiri, 50% of the new members are expected to be for the Elite Connections programme, in which the TPC will serve as a liaison to facilitate business links between foreign businessmen and local counterparts.

Another 40% of TPC's projected new members this year are expected to sign up for the Elite Moments package, with the rest purchasing the Elite Living option.

"It's a clear trend that you need to segment in marketing tourism packages," Mr Choksiri said. Of the 2,000 targeted new members this year, 65% are expected to come from Asian countries, with the rest from European nations.

Membership in the Elite card programme now stands at just 824. The TPC estimates that the members spends around 350 million baht in Thailand each year.

Within five years, the TPC estimates its membership will grow to a limit of 20,000, Mr Choksiri said.

Membership numbers will be capped, he said, with TPC eventually adopting a new pricing strategy as the availability of slots declines, with membership fees potentially rising to as much as five million baht each in order to maintain the exclusivity of the programme.

--Bangkok Post 2005-04-25

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm!!!! at last a good plan only have to find 2000 people who want to pay for the privialge of spending money here, sounds lke they got a winner this time.

[Foggy Bottom]

The card programme offers ....... as well as limited land ownership rights for foreigners.

So they've trotted out the old bait of owning land, even though it is still against the law for foreigners to own land in Thailand ...... unless inherited from a grandpaernt (maximum 1 rai), as a result of investing 40 million Baht for 5 years in an approved investment vehicle (subject to cabinet approval and maximum of 1 rai) etc etc etc (as Yul Bryner would say).

It's just a higher stakes version of the old "farang wanna buy house?" scam that resurfaces annually.

[ThaiPauly]

What A joke! They have revised their target down from one million to twenty thousand in the first five years.

Can you imagine the CEO of any PLC company telling his investors that

This has been done so thay can be more discerning in whom they invite to join!

Fact is they dont need to be discerning, they just cant persuade hardly anyone to shell out good money on such a Dead Donkey with so little benefits, they just need to find idiots, discerning or otherwise

Anyway how many of the customers they have were given them for FREE anyway.?

the whole thing is just absurd

[JXXXL]

This plan is precious and just keeps getting better. You would have to be a genious to write this kind of comedy.

I think Mr. Taksin is under the mistaken impression that other people have a similar disregard for money that he must have. Or, that there are people out there with 1mm baht to spend who are complete idiots.

[palm]

We emailed the Elite people about it - as frankly 1m bt for a lifelong VISA is actually good for us - but the reply was so weird and kept saying the fees are about to go up massively, we just asked them to send us a brochure. Funny how one still hasn't arrived. People with 1m bt of cash to burn on something like this usually would have a successful business background and would expect something a bit more professional than how it seems to be cobbled-together right now. I asked them to phone me too, but they wanted to stick to email.

Also, its a bit shocking to see the average spend per Elite member being only around 400k baht per year!?!? That's only around 10,000 US Dollars! I'm still not sure who this 'Elite' programme is really aimed at? All we really want is a truly flexible VISA, not free massages

Edited April 25, 2005 by palm

[dr_Pat_Pong]

This ' new ' edition will go the same way as MK 1 and MK II Elite. Whatever rhymes with bankers ?

[meadish_sweetball]

We emailed the Elite people about it - as frankly 1m bt for a lifelong VISA is actually good for us - but the reply was so weird and kept saying the fees are about to go up massively, we just asked them to send us a brochure. Funny how one still hasn't arrived. People with 1m bt of cash to burn on something like this usually would have a successful business background and would expect something a bit more professional than how it seems to be cobbled-together right now. I asked them to phone me too, but they wanted to stick to email.

Also, its a bit shocking to see the average spend per Elite member being only around 400k baht per year!?!? That's only around 10,000 US Dollars! I'm still not sure who this 'Elite' programme is really aimed at? All we really want is a truly flexible VISA, not free massages

Nothing new though, right?

You want to buy an airconditioning device, and the salesman tries to give you a "bonus" present consisting of a set of pink coffee mugs with little cuddly bears on them (and presents this as the bargain of the century). When you tell him you need the airconditioning device only, he goes into a huff.

You go to the supermarket to do your shopping, you buy your stuff, GF runs to the bonus items counter to see what you will get, and hey presto! three tetra paks of... get this - *bubblegum flavoured* milk (with cuddly little bears on it, blue this time).

You sign up for a monthly mobile phone subscription, and the company (AIS) tries to make you pay 15 baht per occasion to download logotypes with cuddly bears (but hey, you can choose any colour bear you like)...

Somehow I think the Thai way of doing business needs to be adjusted towards another direction than cuddly bears. (Sorry Humphrey.)

[xbusman]

Now I think this is a wonderful introduction to Thailand for the world's "elite".

Lets review shall we.

This is basically a scam whereby a massive charge consistent with two tier pricing can be fostered on those wanting to invest in Thailand. This card is touted as the one stop hub of benefits but in actuality does little more than create a new level of visa which falls outside the reciprical visa charges by a technicality. The rules and benefits are constantly changing, management has been turned over at least once or twice through rampant corruption and/or extreme incompetence. The promises of land ownership go directly against current law but all sorts of nefarious and probably illegal processes are hinted at in order to bypass the illegality.

I think that the Elite program gives a thorough and realistic view of what it means to sink your money here. Throwing away a measly 1 million baht will warm you up for what is to come when you get the factory going. I have had a glimpse into what multinational corporations have to do in order to conduct business here and Kuhn Thaksin should be thanked for setting up the Elite school for the unwary.

The Thai Elite card, 1 million baht.

The comedic value, PRICELESS

Now there is an advertising strategy!

[Crushdepth]

Membership numbers will be capped, he said, with TPC eventually adopting a new pricing strategy as the availability of slots declines, with membership fees potentially rising to as much as five million baht each in order to maintain the exclusivity of the programme.

This is the funniest bit of all. Can I declare the Elite Card programe "Dead on Arrival" and its architechts "Certifiably Insane" or are you guys going to make me wait another 6 months ?

If they added right to own a reasonable amount of land and residency with no visa bullshit...they just might sell some. Simple. Of course, it will never happen.

Edited April 25, 2005 by Crushdepth

[thai thai]

5, 5, 5...

[sriracha john]

It provides great fodder for stand-up comedians...

(anyone got some one-liners for it?)

Sadly, it reflects poorly on Thailand's reputation and by refusing to allow it to die a solemn death, the government holds the country up to mockery and ridicule.

It really isn't such a narrow fence between stubbornness and stupidity.

[xbusman]

Jeeze, I forgot the best part.

When the program is a complete and utter failure, when its obvious that those dumb enough to fall for it could never save up a million baht, what do we do???? RAISE THE PRICE and LIMIT ACCESS

That will fix it.

I mean this program could not be a more perfect simile for life in Thailand. Face it, its why we love to talk about it so much on Thai visa. Every nuance of this program has pure insanity dripping from every eave, a complete misunderstanding about the modern world, a dogged determination to rip off the wealthy in spite of the costs and the horrible consequences of "face" gone awry. How could it be more fun?

[sriracha john]

We emailed the Elite people about it - as frankly 1m bt for a lifelong VISA is actually good for us - but the reply was so weird and kept saying the fees are about to go up massively, we just asked them to send us a brochure. Funny how one still hasn't arrived. People with 1m bt of cash to burn on something like this usually would have a successful business background and would expect something a bit more professional than how it seems to be cobbled-together right now. I asked them to phone me too, but they wanted to stick to email.

Also, its a bit shocking to see the average spend per Elite member being only around 400k baht per year!?!? That's only around 10,000 US Dollars! I'm still not sure who this 'Elite' programme is really aimed at? All we really want is a truly flexible VISA, not free massages

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing new though, right?

You want to buy an airconditioning device, and the salesman tries to give you a "bonus" present consisting of a set of pink coffee mugs with little cuddly bears on them (and presents this as the bargain of the century). When you tell him you need the airconditioning device only, he goes into a huff.

You go to the supermarket to do your shopping, you buy your stuff, GF runs to the bonus items counter to see what you will get, and hey presto! three tetra paks of... get this - *bubblegum flavoured* milk (with cuddly little bears on it, blue this time).

You sign up for a monthly mobile phone subscription, and the company (AIS) tries to make you pay 15 baht per occasion to download logotypes with cuddly bears (but hey, you can choose any colour bear you like)...

Somehow I think the Thai way of doing business needs to be adjusted towards another direction than cuddly bears. (Sorry Humphrey.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

those cuddly bears DO seem to be everywhere, don't they.... LOL

[xbusman]

I need to footnote an apology to the five or six buyers that have posted on Thai Visa regarding their purchase or interest in purchasing an Elite card. I live and work in Thailand and wish I had a spare 1 million to purchase a five year visa or could put it on my company expense account. For those five or six people who know the score and have that much in their spare change dish good for you. I would guess that kind of person could also appreciate the humor the rest of us see in the program but in case you have a personal vested attachment to the Elite program I apologize if my remarks rub the wrong way.

[SteveH]

Why do they keep on about the Elite when surely it must be the thousands of 'Non Elite' who are really bringing the money into the country, even in our little community of Farang we must have spent over 3 million baht last year.

[delight378]

WHAT AN IDIOTIC PROJECT !!!

I may join this Elite club, provided that the club pay the money they owe CNN in the advertisement during the APEC which so far amounted to some 14 millions us dollars, and so far no one from the Elite club claimed the responsibility.

Oh, also I understood that the benefit of the club change constantly. So, the first few members who joined since Mr Toxin and his clowns get into the office some four years ago, did not have the same benefit now.

The question is, will the same happen four years from now ?

Canadian James

2,000 new Elite Card users targeted in '05

BANGKOK: -- A provider of the Thailand Elite Card has announced plans to enrol 2,000 new members this year from three specific target markets.

The president of Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), Choksiri Rodboonpha, said the company would expand marketing activities as the firm shifts its product focus and customer base.

"The new business concept is different from the past, when we needed a large amount of members. These days we are targeting members by invitation only," he said.

The new marketing strategy will be launched in June.

Choksiri said the three membership categories include Elite Moment, which will focus on Asian customers with an emphasis on golf, shopping and spa treatments.

The second is Elite Connection, aimed at international investors, and the third is Elite Living, which is expected to attract people over 50 who wish to retire in Thailand.

The company expects that Elite Connection members will comprise 50 per cent of its base, followed by Elite Moment with 40 per cent and Elite Living with 10 per cent.

Choksiri said that 65 per cent of new membership would come from Asian markets and the rest would be from Western countries. TPC anticipates that the new members will generate membership fees of Bt2 billion.

The firm expects some

members will also make investments in Thailand, generating more than Bt23 billion this year.

"We are in talks with an Australian member who wants to invest Bt10 million in an eco-tourism business in Thailand. Another Australian will invest Bt3 billion in moulded automotive parts, while a Hong Kong member plans to start a biotechnology company with an investment cost of Bt100 million," Choksiri said.

The company currently has 824 members from all over the world. That figure is lower than previously announced expectations for the first year.

The company also revised its long-term target membership from one million to only 20,000 members for the next five years. The lowered target should allow the company to be more selective in inviting new members.

It also plans to increase the membership fee from Bt1 million to Bt5 million in 2010.

To introduce more benefits and privileges, TPC has joined with world-class hotels such as The Oriental Hotel Bangkok, The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai, Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Shangri-la Hotel and the InterContinental.

The company will also offer a three-day, two-night vacation package for US$1,000 (Bt39,500) including full-service accommodations, spa treatments, transportation and 24-hour butler service.

Last year the company earned Bt700 million from membership fees.

Their members used their Elite cards a total of 14,000 times last year, with Bt2 billion in associated revenues.

--TNA 2005-04-25

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[JXXXL]

How many would like to bet 1mm that the benefits would survive this comical program once it gets thrown into the scrap heap? Anyway, I heard most of the current members (read friends of govt cronies) were given the membership.

[cutter007]

To anyone interested in investing I am opening a Thai "Foreigner owned" Elite card company, this will be a foreign company so we will actually be providing the services we promise and actually generating revenue so that we will not need to claim bankruptcy in the first 2 years. Of course we will still be paying kickbacks as this is Thailand and it is impossible to do business otherwise, but our bribes will be reasonable and labeled appropriately in our financial statements.

This company will arrange for:

1 The purchase of a Thai golfers privilege card, basically the same discounts as the Thai Elite card - cost to company 1,000 baht a year

2 The purchase of a Citibank Orchid Plus credit card - providing hotel and airline discounts - cost to company 1,250 a year

3 A person to go to the immigration once a year, and extend your visa -

cost to company 3,000 baht a year

Total variable cost to company 5,250 baht per year

We will charge customers 25,000 baht a year, and make 19,750 per customer per year.

Add in the overhead, one moron answering the phone and taking complaints (same service provided by Thai Elite program) and we got a good little profit left over.

This card provides almost the same benefits, with a 15,000 baht a year savings in annual fees, and no 1m baht joining fee.

I called about information about the Thai Elite card, was just curious, they never even bothered to send it to me.

Great strategy guys, it wasn't working before when anyone was free to buy a card, so now make it invitation only and everyone will want one.

Sorry TPC, foreigners aren't like the vegatable head 6th generation super rich Thai's who will jump at the chance to buy sand in the Gobi as long as it is invitation only.

Edited April 25, 2005 by cutter007

[Oswulf]

So, 824 card holders. Advertising costs 149 million Baht. Advertising cost per subscriber attracted, 180,000 Baht! And they say that advertising pays.

[moebius]

Hey, I've spent a lot of money in Thailand and I never got a cuddly bear!!! *&&^%^&!!!

[ovenman]

If they added right to own a reasonable amount of land and residency with no visa bullshit...they just might sell some. Simple. Of course, it will never happen.

I recollect reading an interview with one of the original elite card management flunkies in which he stated that the purpose of the elite card was not solely for people to live here long-term or to purchase land. Sorta like, yes all these benefits are available to card holders but we would much prefer that they didn't actually take advantage of any.

On the issue of land ownership, notice that in the benefits table displayed in today's Bangkok Post, there is a big empty space in the New Package column under the category Privileges (property). Draw your own conclusions from that...

[bluie]

:

More amusing than the Beano and Dandy

::

[Welsh John]

I got a free Brolley when I opened up my bank account in Phuket!!

[Plus+]

824 member used their cards 14,000 times and spent 2 bil? That is nearly 2,000 times per person (each spending 2,5 mil). Incredible.