webfact Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Thailand's elite card refuses to die By Digital Media BANGKOK, Nov 13 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has mapped out an ambitious plan to recruit 10,000 new members for the ‘elite card’—a scheme which had ‘gone silent’, but is now to be resurrected following cabinet approval yesterday. The cabinet action allows a maximum expense of Bt100 million from the remaining registered capital of Thailand Privilege Card (TPC) Co for the revived operation which includes recruitment of a manager, personnel and management. It should take three months to fully launch the project after which the company should have sufficient cash flow from the sales of membership, according to deputy government spokesman Pakdiharn Himathongkam. As the sole owner of TPC, the national tourism agency projects 10,000 new members in the next 10 years, with each paying a one-time membership fee of Bt 2 million plus an annual fee of Bt 20,000. A membership is valid for 20 years. The status-bearing TPC currently has 2,562 members. TAT plans to recruit 1,300 members in the first year of the revived programme (2013), 1,200 members in the second year, 1,100 members in the third year, 1,000 members in the fourth to seventh years, 900 members in the eighth year, 800 members in the ninth year and 700 members in the tenth or final year. It hopes to earn Bt2.016 billion after the first year but the loss remains at Bt 117 million due to the accumulated deficit of Bt1.284 billion. TPC should make a Bt 242 million profit in 2014 and pay off the accumulated deficit by 2017. In 2042 when the elite card turns 20 years, TPC should have Bt 2.280 billion in cash or a profit of Bt 1.095 billion. (MCOT online news) -- TNA 2012-11-13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payboy Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 In 2042 when the elite card turns 20 years That's in dog years or cat years? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post upena Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 The Thailand "Elite" card died years ago and this phoenix isn't about to rise from the ashes with the Tourism Authority of Thailand running the program 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post renaissanc Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 If it would enable me to get a lifetime visa, with no silly 90-Day reporting, and no need for a silly Re-entry Visa, it would be of interest to me; otherwise, not a chance of me showing interest. 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crushdepth Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ianatlarge Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 As I have said before, it is not a bad idea, provided it is correctly implemented, with worthwhile benefits at a fair cost. So, most likely fail. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Xonax Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 Paying 2 Million Baht for a plastic card, sounds to me like being the worst scam in Thailand ever. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bdenner Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 Automatic 'Permanent Residence' on payment of the 2 Million or they can forget it ---- AGAIN! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SymS Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Stabbing the card might work, it seems fashionable at the moment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamRich Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I was about to write this thing off until I started combing over their website and found: Purchase a full fare THAI Royal First Class ticket on international routes, receive a same class complimentary companion ticket http://www.thailandelite.com/membership.php Even still, an initial membershit fee of US$65,000 and yearly fees of US$650. This might just benefit someone who stands to make millions or someone who enjoys throwing their money down the tubes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post monkeycountry Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 Remark that there is absolutely no mention of why one should pay 2+ million. Ie. what you get for your money. I assume you get the same as last time - nothing, except this time you get nothing at twice the price :-) 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post noob7 Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 The Thailand "Elite" card died years ago and this phoenix isn't about to rise from the ashes with the Tourism Authority of Thailand running the program Amazing Thailand So, who in the family was in need of a well payed manager position? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeyrobot Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I just use my 7/11 stamps for discounts on items, but for some reason they did not work in ago go bar when paying my bill, maybe this card will. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueExpat Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 One major problem is that after the complete fiasco of Elite Card part 1, there is absolutley no credibility in Part 2. What is offered today could easily be withdrawn in a few years time with no more than a "We're sorry and here is some complimentary tickets to Loei Pangolin Park." Agree it could do OK offering a 10 year or permanent visa option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLock Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 If someone presented me with declining forecasts like this, they'd be gone. And what happens when they fail to meet the forecast at the end of year 1? Shut it down, or throw more money at the problem? The Thai logic of raising the price to cover fewer sales is counterintuitive. Do they want 10,000 members at 2million baht each or 100,000 members at 200k baht? What is the objective with this card...or is it purely trying to save face and maintain the salary of a few of Thaksin's school friends? Then again, they probably don't have enough of those electric carts at Suvarnabhumi to cater for many Elite Card holders. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLock Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 One major problem is that after the complete fiasco of Elite Card part 1, there is absolutley no credibility in Part 2. What is offered today could easily be withdrawn in a few years time with no more than a "We're sorry and here is some complimentary tickets to Loei Pangolin Park." Agree it could do OK offering a 10 year or permanent visa option. There's a Pangolin Park in Loei? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaidam Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Where in the world is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation known as a Ponzi scheme? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belg Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 lol...here we go again, how many people will they be able to fool ? how many cards will be given to "friends" of hiso's who pay 0 baht but take all the advantages.... any advantage? right to own land ? no yearly hassle ? 20 years extention ? guess not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RisqEM Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 What is it? Is it a credit card? What is it used for, aside from showing off? Sorry, I'm not familiar with the first Elite card either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterdarby Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 (edited) According to the site it is 1.5M Baht to join, no mention of annual fees. You get a five year multiple-entry visa, and can get a new stamp every 90 days without leaving the country (1,900 Baht for the immigration Dept fee). I'm not eligible anyway under the "sound mind" requirement. Edited November 13, 2012 by peterdarby 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noob7 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 You get a five year multiple-entry visa, and can get a new stamp every 90 days without leaving the country (1,900 Baht for the immigration Dept fee). So it's confirmed: Another Scam! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Teddy3943 Posted November 13, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2012 Now I pay for my non immigrant retirement year visa THB 1900.-- for multi entry THB 3800.--. So for two million Baht I could more than 1000 years get a single entry year visa or more than 500 years for multiple entry. If I make it I will be over 1069 years old... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noob7 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Now I pay for my non immigrant retirement year visa THB 1900.-- for multi entry THB 3800.--. So for two million Baht I could more than 1000 years get a single entry year visa or more than 500 years for multiple entry. If I make it I will be over 1069 years old... And even in this times, you get your visa's for free! 2 Million fixed deposit, only 5700 Baht interest needed, how old you wanna become? And from your 80's or 90's, I guess, they will even give you the golf car, at the Airport, for free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmitch Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Wasn't the original Elite Card THB 1 million? If so, this means that even the Government use the same philosophy as everyone else: if it doesn't sell, raise the price. Are there any new benefits this time around? If not then how the f*** do they think they'll sell any? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry1011 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Brag brag brag brag... Go on guys ! Don't lose the spirit Everything is going to be fine with TE anyway, and in 10 years you will still be Bragging... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 If someone presented me with declining forecasts like this, they'd be gone. And what happens when they fail to meet the forecast at the end of year 1? Shut it down, or throw more money at the problem? The Thai logic of raising the price to cover fewer sales is counterintuitive. Do they want 10,000 members at 2million baht each or 100,000 members at 200k baht? What is the objective with this card...or is it purely trying to save face and maintain the salary of a few of Thaksin's school friends? Then again, they probably don't have enough of those electric carts at Suvarnabhumi to cater for many Elite Card holders. "...purely trying to save face and maintain the salary of a few of Thaksin's school friends?" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPA Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 A fool and his money will soon be parted!!! I know on every plane landing at Swampy there is one one mug but I doubt if they would rather have a plastic card rather than a bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketjoy Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 They tried this scam in phuket before it never launch but they did take the money but after 2 years they never publish there cards or books and the farang in charge just vanished. <deleted> this is the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellodolly Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 If it would enable me to get a lifetime visa, with no silly 90-Day reporting, and no need for a silly Re-entry Visa, it would be of interest to me; otherwise, not a chance of me showing interest. For the price it should also throw in a full time on the side line sex partner. Actually you could get that for the yearly membership and save the 2,000,000 Baht initial buy in price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitker Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 If it would enable me to get a lifetime visa, with no silly 90-Day reporting, and no need for a silly Re-entry Visa, it would be of interest to me; otherwise, not a chance of me showing interest. You may well benefit of all this. Expect just it to vanish within a few months. Together with your fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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