Thailand Elite launched to lure Indonesia investors

Thailand Elite launched to lure Indonesia investors

Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Thai Embassy launched a new program on Friday called Thailand
Elite, which is aimed at attracting investors from Indonesia.

The program, which offers various membership privileges, has
already been introduced in a number of Asian and Western
countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, Germany and France.

The purpose of the program is to invite selected top
Indonesian businesspeople and state officials to become members,
as a result of which they will receive first class services
whenever they are in Thailand, something that is expected to
encourage them to invest their money there.

Once in Thailand, members of the program will receive fast-
track services at the airport, full access to over 20 selected
golf courses throughout the country, treatment at over 70
exclusive spas, free medical checkups at 14 selected hospitals
(limited to once a year), and discounts in the country's best
hotels and restaurants).

Members, however, have to pay a membership fee of US$25,000
per year per individual and $50,000 per corporation. Individual
membership is lifelong, while corporate membership lasts for 30
years. Both types of membership will result in the issuance of a
gold-plated membership card.

According to ASEAN Business Advisory Council chairman Rudy J.
Pesik, the program is being introduced in Indonesia as the Thai
government has been "impressed by my relentless efforts in
promoting Indonesia over 25 years."

In recognition of Rudy's work, the Thai government has
conferred upon him the Most Admirable Order of the
Direkgunabhorn, a Thai royal award, for his efforts on behalf of
Thailand and the Thai people.