Revised Elite Cards Finally Find Success

[george]

Revised Elite cards finally find success

Additional members recruited from Asia

BANGKOK: -- A change in Elite card privileges and member reclassification has improved sales, according to Thailand Privilege Card Co.

The company responsible for the Thailand Elite Card programme reported that that it had sold 1,726 cards so far, more than double the amount sold before the revision in June, according to president Choksiri Rodboonpha.

The Elite Card programme, established in 2003 by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, aims to earn foreign exchange by selling as many as 100,000 cards at one million baht each.

Originally, prominent businessmen and tourists were approached for the cards, which offered a range of privileges, including fast-track immigration clearance, discounts from spas, hotels and golf courses in addition to limited land ownership rights for foreigners.

But only 824 cards were sold through June, prompting the government to focus on a new target group _ entrepreneurs who may make significant investments in the country, whether in properties or new business ventures.

TPC revised privileges given to members by offering three options to appeal to different segments.

The offerings consist of Elite Moments, a leisure-oriented package; Elite Connections, a business networking programme; and Elite Living, for those in retirement or looking for health services.

Membership fees are one million baht, plus an annual fee of 40,000 baht.

The recent new members are mainly from Asia and some are major investors who plan to channel cash into Thailand.

Investments from prominent members include Australians who plan to develop eco-tourism in Ao Manao, Prachuap Khiri Khan at an initial value of 100 million baht over the next five years.

A Uruguayan member has planned to invest 500 million baht in building a jewellery factory in Suphan Buri, while two projects from Kuwaiti investors involve a five-star hotel on Sukhumvit Road worth one billion baht and a 500-million baht condominium at Jomtien Beach.

Two Korean investors and Elite Card members respectively plan to spend 120 million and 100 million baht on a bio-technology laboratory and a golf school.

--Bangkok Post 2005-12-14

[PeaceBlondie]

After more than two years, countless ad campaigns and revisions, they are only 98.274% short of the goal.

[sriracha john]

** Yawn **

Are they trotting out this long-dead horse yet again??

(had the same notion as Peace, but was going to say it slightly different as they only have 998,274 more cards to sell to make the PM's goal, which by the way was a million cards, not the 100,000 cited in the article)

[Johpa]

Clearly those who are seriously thinking about investing in Thailand are being told that life will be much easier for them and their investments if they help the PM save a little face and purchase one of these little cards. Tea money for the very rich.

[sriracha john]

yes... absolutely; given the article harps on referencing the business-types with projects in Thailand in the works. "Wanna do business here, grease the skids with an Elite card...what's another measly million baht when you're pouring in 500 already?" It's so that the PM's numbers aren't totally laughable (although they still are).

[britmaveric]

** Yawn ** 

Are they trotting out this long-dead horse yet again??

(had the same notion as Peace, but was going to say it slightly different as they only have 998,274 more cards to sell to make the PM's goal, which by the way was a million cards, not the 100,000 cited in the article)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Crissie is coming, so prob hoping to sell a few shiney new elitist cards for gifts.

[ovenman]

Revised Elite cards finally find success

Additional members recruited from Asia

BANGKOK: -- A change in Elite card privileges and member reclassification has improved sales, according to Thailand Privilege Card Co.

If you keep defining the definition of success ever-downwards, sooner or later you are bound to latch onto something that actually is successful.

[Ricardo]

You mean they don't come FREE , with every 100 million baht , that you spend here ?

And there I was - saving all my cereal-coupons & receipts from Carrefour

[PeaceBlondie]

So let's see: if the original published goal was a million, and they've now averaged roughly 500 sales per year (including those given away), it will take about 2,000 years to reach their goal.

Not to worry, the new airport is on schedule, if you allow for all the times that they've moved the goalposts closer to the ball.

Edited December 16, 2005 by PeaceBlondie

[Prudent_rabbit]

Yesterday at the annual BCCT Xmas Dinner, when they are doing the run up before the actual raffle, they usually ask for a number of silly items, eg Business Card with the Longest Title, Viagra, Tatoos of Cartoon Characters, well this year they asked for an Elite Card and believe it or not, there was a guy in the Audience with one. It was help up for all to see........

So I have now seen one

[stumonster]

Elite Card fees to at least double

Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC) has announced a three-year plan which would limit the total number of members and more than double the membership fee.

Choksiri Rodboonpha, managing director of the firm which issues the Thailand Elite Card, said the company would strictly limit membership to less than 7,000. “This way we can give better services and more benefits to members,” he said.

He said the membership fee would increase from Bt1 million to between Bt2 million and Bt4 million, probably in 2008.

He added that the company had already achieved a membership of 2,063 and expected to sign up 2,000 new members this year, mostly from Western countries.

The target is down somewhat from the aim of one million members set by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when the scheme was launched several years ago. However, Choksiri said the PM, along with the tourism and sports minister and the company’s board, had approved the changes.

He said that to meet the target this year, TPC would improve its services by fast-tracking facilities for visa extensions, driving licences, lounges, priority tee times at 10 golf courses, and elite packages at spas.

Meanwhile, it will revamp its sales and marketing network by setting up regional distribution centres overseas instead of just country representatives. Each of the centres will take care of three to five countries.

TPC plans to have at least six regional distribution centres, mostly in Asia. It will expand the model to Western regions – including Scandinavia and North America – and the Middle East.

In 2005, members visiting Thailand accounted for more than 3,500 trips with total spending of Bt500 million.

Choksiri said some members had invested in tourism, motor-home, jewellery, hotel, bio-technology, golf school, villa and furniture projects, with total investments worth Bt3.7 billion.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/11...ss_20000739.php

maybe mr't' should mention this remarkable achievment of his his next sermon to the poor about how good he is to them

[Pattayaman]

Yesterday at the annual BCCT Xmas Dinner, when they are doing the run up before the actual raffle, they usually ask for a number of silly items, eg Business Card with the Longest Title, Viagra, Tatoos of Cartoon Characters, well this year they asked for an Elite Card and believe it or not, there was a guy in the Audience with one. It was help up for all to see........

So I have now seen one

The guy was probably paid by Toxin to be there and show an Elite card...............on the payroll

[Plus]

There was this Indian sounding property developer from Phuket complaing to the Nation about Thai Airways dropping direct flights to Australia (bad for his high end customers), and to stenghten his argument he mentioned that he was always suppportive of Taksin and he was one of the first Elite Card members and he even paid for it. How pathetic.

[WISteve]

"Yesterday at the annual BCCT Xmas Dinner, when they are doing the run up before the actual raffle, they usually ask for a number of silly items, eg Business Card with the Longest Title, Viagra, Tatoos of Cartoon Characters, well this year they asked for an Elite Card and believe it or not, there was a guy in the Audience with one. It was help up for all to see........

So I have now seen one "

I'm betting that getting your picture taken with the god father of Chon Buri on his birthday is worth far more in the "fast track" line than any silly Elite Card......

~WISteve