Elite Card in a shuffle
November 5, 2009 by Sawapat Pimchaichon
Filed under News
Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Sinlapa-archa backs a plan to transfer the Thailand Elite Card to the management of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
He made the statement yesterday, at press conference at the ministry, saying the final decision would be made on the future of the Thailand Elite Card at a Cabinet meeting, 17 November.
However, the minister suggested that of all the options considered, the most appropriate one was to continue the project, but under the management of the TAT
Jumpol Sinlapa-archa
He added that the Thailand Elite Card would need to be transferred to an investment unit under the TAT division that promotes tourism products. He added that the ministry would probably have to approve an increase in TAT staff to run the operation.
“TAT has 26 international offices worldwide, plus 35 offices within the country. This should be a channel to promote and sell the card.”
There are other options on the table such as revamp the company and continuing the business or possible inviting a join venture partner to take up stock and manage the company.
However, Mr Chumpol believes the latter option might not appeal to a private sector investor, possibly due to the considerable negative baggage and media publicity burdening the project..
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand advisor, Akkapol Phrueksawan, who worked on the Elite Card’s business plan, said the card had to meet its obligations to customers, no matter who ran it.
He suggested the card be revamped into a privilege card through establishing an alliance with private sector companies that are in this kind of business. It would offer value-added services, but the members would pay for individual services just as they did with a standard credit card.
Yes , this total nonsense and a lot of people who took out membership will be wondering what has happen to their supposed investment. It would be better to cut their loses and try and get a refund if they can.
Most of the people are afraid of losing the country’s face if we cancel the card. The government will throw the burden to the TAT who must be smart enough to reduce the number of cards. The government should not do business without a future and should not provide funds to support the card — no more bones for the dogs.
This is nonsense and a total conflict of interest, not to mention a contradiction in terms … managed by TAT, they can’t even order their own coffee! The only solution for this scam is to shut it down, take the losses on the nose and apologise to the victims and offer them the visa options etc. without having to wave their worthless card around.