Thailand Elite Card: TAT Hopes To Present Revamped Project To Cabinet By End Of May

[webfact]

TAT hopes to present revamped Thailand Elite Card project to Cabinet by end of May

BANGKOK, 16 May 2012 (NNT) – The Thai tourism authority is hopeful to present the revamped Thailand Elite Card project for the Cabinet to review very soon.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Deputy Governor Wilaiwan Tawitsri said on Tuesday that the TAT’s work on the operational restructuring of Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited (TPC), which is in charge of the Thailand Elite Card project, is nearing completion.

Ms. Wilaiwan stated that the result of the revamp is expected to be ready for presentation to Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa on May 29th.

She said that, by meeting the expected deadline, Mr. Chumpol will be able to present all information for the Cabinet to consider, in hopes of receiving an 80-million-baht emergency budget for the TPC to continue its operation until the end of December 2012.

The TAT Deputy Governor conceded that, if the to-be-proposed project receives a Cabinet approval, a new budget of 200 million baht will likely be acquired to pursue further upgrade of the company.

-- NNT 2012-05-16

[Buchholz]

an 80-million-baht emergency budget

plus

a new budget of 200 million baht

[Thai at Heart]

an 80-million-baht emergency budget

plus

a new budget of 200 million baht

California Wow comes to mind. What a rather unfunny joke this whole business was and apparently still is......

[Misterwhisper]

It's beyond comprehension that they're still pursuing a scheme that proved such an utter failure. Well, on the other hand... they want to bag another 280 million Baht. Perhaps there is some smart thinking behind this after all. Oh, Miracle Thailand!!!

[LuckyLew]

Deja vu all over again

Guess they need to find new . old ways to feed the extra 111 mouths at the table

and the "Miracle Year of Amazing Thailand" rolls on

[baboon]

I don`t understand. Are the TAT just trying to protect existing members or attract new ones or both? I doubt too many people would jump at the chance to buy a revamped Elite Card given it`s track record.

[ratcatcher]

This springs to mind with T.A.T. mentality....

or in the case of The Elite Card...

Edited May 16, 2012 by ratcatcher

[laurentbkk]

A total disaster is not enough ? they didnt realize yet that this Thailand elite card is a money hole ...... unless some pockets need to be fill again. Surely Amazing miracle Thailand ...So lets continue what didnt work ... nice leitmotiv !

[steelepulse]

It's called the " we need a new Merc/BMW" fund as those proposing this scheme have run out of cash from the last fleecing.

[Reasonableman]

http://www.thaivisa....5-billion-baht/

Posted 2011-04-27 09:30:31

Elite Card decides to call it a day

BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday decided to close down in 60 days the loss-ridden Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), operator of the Thailand Elite Card, the brainchild of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The Tourism and Sports Ministry, whose state agency the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is TPC's sole owner, was instructed to prepare to compensate the 2,500-odd members should any of them take legal action once their membership is revoked.The ministry yesterday asked the government to set aside 2.5 billion baht to compensate members and staff once the company shuts down. Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said the cabinet turned down the request but asked the ministry to submit details for consideration next week at what is expected to be the final cabinet meeting of this government. Elite Card, launched in 2003, promised fast-track immigration, discounts at resorts and golf courses and other perks. With members paying 1 million baht for a lifetime membership - prices later rose to 1.5 million - the goal was to attract a million subscribers in five years for revenue of 1 trillion baht. But political changes and exaggerated services led to the Elite Card proving a flop, with only 2,565 members from 65 countries in its eight years in operation. TPC reportedly suffers a debt burden of more than 1.4 billion baht. Battling to survive, TPC two years ago sought cabinet approval to allow private investment in the company. But the request was rejected, as the government would not allow companies to make decisions on visa fees. Pensuda Priaram, the TAT's deputy governor for tourism products and business, said the 60-day deadline for terminating the company and the card would be hard to meet under the rules. The TAT must come up with 500 million baht to pay for overdue registered capital to pave the way for termination, and plans to seek the sum from the Budget Bureau. Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the project should have been shut down a long time ago.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Greer]

Khun Prakit was absolutely right - but the the existing members are NOT going to be happy to find that their "lifetime" membership in fact really became 8 years (or less, depending when they joined).

[Theboy]

I don`t understand. Are the TAT just trying to protect existing members or attract new ones or both? I doubt too many people would jump at the chance to buy a revamped Elite Card given it`s track record.

It's called saving face plus keeping a few favoured staff on the gravy train

[LivinLOS]

The idea itself isnt horrible, but the inept management and way the project was fund once for lifetime use is just doomed to failure..

A government approved system, providing red carpet visa service, investment links, path to PR and citizenship (these are the kind of people for citizenship apps surely) etc etc Is a problem crying out for a solution.. Look at the Malayasia my second home or brazilian investment schemes..

Of course if its going to be a badly run, ill funded, ill defined idea without any clear mandate from government run by xenephobic rules.. Its also doomed to failure.

[Ianatlarge]

I seem to be in a small minority by saying something good about the program, but what about an 'elite' card that provides expedited entry, extended hassle free stays (no visa runs), and a range of discounts? Something like this would appeal to some people, and not cost a huge amount to create.

[Buchholz]

http://www.thaivisa....5-billion-baht/

Posted 2011-04-27 09:30:31

Elite Card decides to call it a day

BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday decided to close down in 60 days the loss-ridden Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), operator of the Thailand Elite Card, the brainchild of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

That was last year... before this brainchild guy came back into office

From the thread:

'Thailand Elite' Program In Tatters

http://www.thaivisa....ram-in-tatters/

well done, george....

.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Buchholz

[eddie61]

methinks the proud little man of Dubai, yes the same man who would lift parked cars off Bangkok's congested streets with Chinooks, won't let his brain fart be consigned to the dustbin of history, which it richly deserves.

why doesn't he do something useful with his time, such as research cold fusion

[steveromagnino]

blatant skim.

Definition of stupidity doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result.

[Reasonableman]

blatant skim.

Definition of stupidity doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result.

Apparently, it is the same result that is being sought... again. It must have worked out OK for some first time round.

[givenall]

Frangs beware. Start of a new scam by the government

[belg]

i guess it is time to re-filled the pockets of some people... it was a big failure, and now, they want to revive it ?

miracle thailand

[Arkady]

It's beyond comprehension that they're still pursuing a scheme that proved such an utter failure. Well, on the other hand... they want to bag another 280 million Baht. Perhaps there is some smart thinking behind this after all. Oh, Miracle Thailand!!!

The revival is on the personal orders of the Boss overseas, whose ego is too huge to admit that he made a horrible mistake. Anyway the B280 million represents more patronage for friends and relatives of the PT and red shirt worthies who are due rewards for loyal service to the Boss and sis. The card could probably be issued by a department of three police sergeants earning B8,000 a month each at the Immigration Dept at Chaengwattana but, instead they have to set up a massive establishment with plush offices in town and an advertising budget that costs more than potential revenue etc etc.

The only justification offered for this theft of taxpayers' money is that some elite card holders made significant investments in Thailand. But there is nothing to suggest that the card was the reason for those investments and what smart businessman would invest big bucks just because of a stupid card? Instead of wasting money on this garbage, the Boss should ensure that laws are changed, so that big investors can easily obtain PR or citizenship, if they want it, in the same way as he has benefitted from such rules overseas. They should also ensure fairness, transparency and timeliness in processing such applications from ordinary foreigners who qualify, instead of the current "black hole" system at the Interior Ministry. When they've finished that, they should get rid of the racially discriminatory laws against foreigners owning land or their own businesses which are bound to backfire eventually on Thai companies trying to invest overseas. All that would boost foreign investment unequivocably at nil cost to the taxpayer and eliminate any justification for this ridiculous card.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Arkady

[allan michaud]

I seem to be in a small minority by saying something good about the program, but what about an 'elite' card that provides expedited entry, extended hassle free stays (no visa runs), and a range of discounts? Something like this would appeal to some people, and not cost a huge amount to create.

More useful would a card that allows you to avoid tea money. "This card confirms the owner has already paid a lifetimes supply of tea money directly to the Thai govt and is therefore exempt from being ripped off by ANY Thai officials" Now I'd consider buying that.

[davejonesbkk]

What's that movie with bill Murray in where he keeps re-living the same day over and over?

[davejonesbkk]

I don't know what everyone's bleating about anyway, 280 million is peanuts compared to the rest of peu Thais other spending....

[Reasonableman]

What's that movie with bill Murray in where he keeps re-living the same day over and over?

Something about hogs, I think.

[ratcatcher]

I seem to be in a small minority by saying something good about the program, but what about an 'elite' card that provides expedited entry, extended hassle free stays (no visa runs), and a range of discounts? Something like this would appeal to some people, and not cost a huge amount to create.

Your idea isn't bad, but what the Thais like, or at least those involved in this scam, is something "grandiose" with a huge budget for advertising and offices etc.

ELITE sounds and looks important. (In the real world, the real elites don't even have Thailand on their must-see list. It has become rather

• "naff" ( UK slang) Something that is poorly thought out, doesn’t really work, or is otherwise not very good.)
  
• 
  

What you suggest, falls into the "modest" department which might be viable, but T.A.T. doesn't do "modest"

• 
  

[beloriss]

Will the thai goverment keep its word and if you pay out a fortune for an elite card, will you get all the promised things after 10 years either? Well, that is the first question...

For example if you made a company to get a condomminium where you got 49% farangs already on company name you was happy till now, but you cannot make in the future so, or you can try it, till they will decide to change the costs of your unworking company and rise that taxes to the sky, and than you can start hardly working on selling your company for someone other, who wish to pay. Likely farangs will not do so, so some lucky thais will get your condo for a bargain.

Good luck for all the future elite members. The basic idea is great. I really do like it.

However knowing the strengh of the promisses of this country, - the law changing every day, and also there are many harsh corruptions everytime and everywhere - I better call nowadays them (the future rushing elite members) belivers with big hopes.

Is Thailand a country which makes your dream come true? That is the second big question. And you should ask from yourself that simple question before you put yourself on this program. If you sure that the answer is 100% "yes" - do it. But if you not sure, better wait some more years and have a look after the "elite cards project" again. This is what i will do.

[sfbandung]

What's that movie with bill Murray in where he keeps re-living the same day over and over?

Something about hogs, I think.

It's Groundhog Day. But I have a feeling you two are taking the piss.

Kinda like the lunatic who wants to revive this scam scheme.

[Hostile17]

they found a way to make us forget about the tablets! Thais already forgot.

[orosee]

What's that movie with bill Murray in where he keeps re-living the same day over and over?

Something about hogs, I think.

Groundhog Day

Great little movie