The first batch of the "Thailand VIP Privilege Cards" at the price of 1 million Baht (240,000 US$) aimed at well heeled foreign tourists will be available starting from 15 September 2003, the sale abroad in all major world cities will follow at a later stage, said governor Khun Juthamas Siriwan from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Thailand's PM Thaksin Shinawatra has strongly backed the "1 million Baht VIP Card" operation, with over 100 Thai tourism-related organizations and businesses already signed up to offer special privileges to holders of the VIP card.

A first batch of 100,000 cards have been made and are ready for sale, the number of this first batch was decided by the TAT, based on the current ability of privileges on offer to ensure the project's success, said TAT governor Khun Juthamas Siriwan.

Thailand's aim is to sell 300,000 cards in the first year of the "VIP Card" campaign. A new company under the name of "Thailand Privilege Card Club", totally owned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand has been set up to run the project.

Khun Juthamas said that until now 62 hotels have confirmed their compliance to take part in the project, alongside 26 spas, 14 hospitals and a few golf courses.

Lifetime privileges for the VIP Privilege Cardholders will include discounts for golf course membership, medical treatment, hotel bookings and free 90-minute Spa therapy, worth 1,500 baht.

TAT governor Khun Juthamas Siriwan further said: Our objective is, after the launch of the card sale in Thailand, to launch a card sale campaign in all major cities in the world, including New York, Paris, London and Tokyo.

For the occasion of the launch of the "Thailand VIP Card Sale", two new handbooks, entitled Knowing Thailand and Thai Cuisine, have been prepared. The VIP card campaign will further be supported through advertising in magazines and other promotional actions.