Hi
Does anybody have a thai elite card and if so I would appreciate a chat.
Joe
Thai Elite Card
Welcome to HHAD
I'd be very surprised if any members had one, they seem like a good bunch with more sense than money (well most of them anyway)!
I presume you've seen this: www.thailandelite.com
I'd be very surprised if any members had one, they seem like a good bunch with more sense than money (well most of them anyway)!
I presume you've seen this: www.thailandelite.com
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Good point Steve, this is highlighted by this notice on their website:
"Due to changes in our country’s security policy, Thailand Elite has no longer been able to offer the fast track immigration service to guests of our members as from the 1st July 2007."
"Due to changes in our country’s security policy, Thailand Elite has no longer been able to offer the fast track immigration service to guests of our members as from the 1st July 2007."
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I would definitely stay away from the Thai Elite Card (even if I could afford one). You are not talking peanuts here. I assume that the card comes with some sort of contract i.e. terms and conditions. But my wild guess would be that even if there is any re-fund clause in there regarding non-performance you will face a long struggle trying to get some of the cash back.
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
You're true gooze!
There aren't any clear answers about this card.
But, one small part in the terms & conditions issue should make everybody thinking:
4.1 The Company reserves the rights to limit and modify Privileges without prior notice
http://www.thailandelite.com/member_terms.php
Honestly I must confess, that I was very interested in a membership, when the visa-clampdown have been for those, which aren't 50 years old but already retired.
The quoted sentence stopped me immediately to think furthermore about any investment of the requested 1 Mio Baht incl. annual fees.
There aren't any clear answers about this card.
But, one small part in the terms & conditions issue should make everybody thinking:
4.1 The Company reserves the rights to limit and modify Privileges without prior notice
http://www.thailandelite.com/member_terms.php
Honestly I must confess, that I was very interested in a membership, when the visa-clampdown have been for those, which aren't 50 years old but already retired.
The quoted sentence stopped me immediately to think furthermore about any investment of the requested 1 Mio Baht incl. annual fees.
I have a friend in HH who joined last year. He was having problems with his visa ( he is 43 ) and thought it was a good buy. Originally it covered him and his wife but he told me that now it only covers him. Included in the card is access to golf clubs without joining but Springfield has recently been taken off the roster and all he has now is Palm hills and lakeview.
If money is no object, and you can definitely afford it - why not? As has been said many times on this board - never put more money in to Thailand than you can afford to lose.
Unless I win the lottery, I'll never be in the fortunate position to be able to lose such a large sum, but there are many that can, and will enjoy any benefits. I know that when I arrive at Bangkok next month I'll be joining the immigration queue with everybody else - how nice if I could walk straight through.
I always work on the theory that I don't care what anybody else has, as long as I get my share of what I deserve. This is one priviledge that I will never deserve a share of. Therefore, rather than being jealous of those who have joined the club, I wish them all the best.
If you can't afford it - don't even give the option a second thought in your head.
Unless I win the lottery, I'll never be in the fortunate position to be able to lose such a large sum, but there are many that can, and will enjoy any benefits. I know that when I arrive at Bangkok next month I'll be joining the immigration queue with everybody else - how nice if I could walk straight through.
I always work on the theory that I don't care what anybody else has, as long as I get my share of what I deserve. This is one priviledge that I will never deserve a share of. Therefore, rather than being jealous of those who have joined the club, I wish them all the best.
If you can't afford it - don't even give the option a second thought in your head.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Just found this in the Bangkok Post, now the thing is even more of a bargain 
Elite Card fee could rise to B1.5 million
Thailand Privilege Card Co, the operator of the Elite Card programme, is considering raising its lifetime membership fee by 50% to 1.5 million baht.
The new rate would be applied starting next year and could be gradually increased to three million baht within 10 years, according to president Rapee Moungnont.
Lifetime fees are currently one million baht.
The company also planned to cut its card privileges, with golf and spa services limited to 24 visits per year for new members, instead of the unlimited-use privileges.
He acknowledged that the restrictions could reduce the attractiveness of the programme, but noted that a survey by the firm showed that 80% to 90% of its members used its services fewer than 24 times per year.
The Elite Card programme was launched by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003 as a high-end loyalty programme to draw wealthy tourists and businessmen.
The programme, which promised fast-track immigration privileges, long-term property leases and discounts at luxury spas, golf courses and hotels, originally aimed to attract one million cardholders by 2008.
But the Elite Card programme has been a spectacular bust, with only 2,185 members as of June 30, and the state-owned company posting hundreds of millions of baht in annual losses.
The company recently retained a research centre run by Thammasat University to study ways of improving its viability. The report proposed that TPC increase membership fees, cut incentives and improve management.
Bases on the new fee, TPC is expected to generate about 1.25 billion baht by 2008, and rise to 2.6 billion baht in 2016. Net losses should drop from 255 million baht in 2008 to 145 million in 2009. Losses this year are estimated at 290 million baht.
''Cash flow would improve from about 750 million baht this year to 1.5 billion baht next year,'' Mr Rapee said.
In 2009, cashflow could rise up to 2.3 billion baht and reach 14.2 billion baht in 2016 under the new business model, which still requires cabinet approval.
TPC seeks to earn a 40- million-baht profit in the next three years, and up to 1.35 billion baht in 2016.
During the first six months of this year, it signed up 168 new members. Its full-year target is 500 new members. ''We've planned to freeze the number at 20,000 in the next 20 years to assure service quality,''he said.
Source: Bangkok Post
You gotta love their mentality ... "lets charge them more and give them less .. stupid farangs will pay it!"
Elite Card fee could rise to B1.5 million
Thailand Privilege Card Co, the operator of the Elite Card programme, is considering raising its lifetime membership fee by 50% to 1.5 million baht.
The new rate would be applied starting next year and could be gradually increased to three million baht within 10 years, according to president Rapee Moungnont.
Lifetime fees are currently one million baht.
The company also planned to cut its card privileges, with golf and spa services limited to 24 visits per year for new members, instead of the unlimited-use privileges.
He acknowledged that the restrictions could reduce the attractiveness of the programme, but noted that a survey by the firm showed that 80% to 90% of its members used its services fewer than 24 times per year.
The Elite Card programme was launched by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003 as a high-end loyalty programme to draw wealthy tourists and businessmen.
The programme, which promised fast-track immigration privileges, long-term property leases and discounts at luxury spas, golf courses and hotels, originally aimed to attract one million cardholders by 2008.
But the Elite Card programme has been a spectacular bust, with only 2,185 members as of June 30, and the state-owned company posting hundreds of millions of baht in annual losses.
The company recently retained a research centre run by Thammasat University to study ways of improving its viability. The report proposed that TPC increase membership fees, cut incentives and improve management.
Bases on the new fee, TPC is expected to generate about 1.25 billion baht by 2008, and rise to 2.6 billion baht in 2016. Net losses should drop from 255 million baht in 2008 to 145 million in 2009. Losses this year are estimated at 290 million baht.
''Cash flow would improve from about 750 million baht this year to 1.5 billion baht next year,'' Mr Rapee said.
In 2009, cashflow could rise up to 2.3 billion baht and reach 14.2 billion baht in 2016 under the new business model, which still requires cabinet approval.
TPC seeks to earn a 40- million-baht profit in the next three years, and up to 1.35 billion baht in 2016.
During the first six months of this year, it signed up 168 new members. Its full-year target is 500 new members. ''We've planned to freeze the number at 20,000 in the next 20 years to assure service quality,''he said.
Source: Bangkok Post
You gotta love their mentality ... "lets charge them more and give them less .. stupid farangs will pay it!"
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
The card offered very minor benefits, like maybe faster airport check-in. Wow.
I get fast check-in by arriving before the herd.
Golf clubs can decide to withdraw, as posted.
Its not for really well-off people who always have their own ways of getting what they want. IMO, its for wannabe VIPs who aren't bright enough to read carefully what is actually offered. Still, if it makes people feel important maybe that justifies the price to them.
I get fast check-in by arriving before the herd.
Golf clubs can decide to withdraw, as posted.
Its not for really well-off people who always have their own ways of getting what they want. IMO, its for wannabe VIPs who aren't bright enough to read carefully what is actually offered. Still, if it makes people feel important maybe that justifies the price to them.