Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday downplayed allegations that his "Thailand Elite Card" scheme to attract the world's rich and famous to the kingdom of Thailand had proved to be a spectacular flop, expressing confidence that the establishment of exclusive golf clubs, entertainment complexes, and hotels for cardholders only would enable the government of Thailand to reach its target of 100,000 members by the end of this year.

Responding to accusations that the Thai government had failed to sell of its "Thailand Elite Cards", priced at 1 million Baht (US$ 25,000) each and aiming to procure privileges for wealthy visitors, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Juthamas Siriwan conceded that there had been a few minor misunderstandings, often caused by the cardholders failing to coordinate with the relevant Thai agencies.

Nonetheless, she said, the cardholders had been unanimous in their praise for the manner in which the cards afforded them a fast track passage through immigration at the Don Muang Airport.

The TAT governor of Thailand, who was speaking to reporters after talks with the prime minister, said that Mr. Thaksin had spoken of the need to Thailand Privilege Card Company, the private sector agency running the Thailand Elite Card scheme, to establish a "City Club" with golf courses, entertainment venues, and hotels exclusively for the use of the Thailand Elite Card members.

Once the cardholders comes to Thailand, they'll have somewhere to stay. We won't ask them to buy their cards and then wander off here and there. There should be things to attract sales, or golf clubs for the members which offer good services, and which are beautiful to look at. There could be takeovers in order to give something special to the members. The prime minister wants such things established as soon as possible, Mrs. Juthamas said.

Nonetheless, she stressed that the construction, or takeover of private golf courses, and other venues would be the responsibility of Thailand Privilege Card Company, rather than of the government of Thailand, and admitted that construction could take a couple of years.

However, until all those new complexes were completed, the Thailand Elite Cards would continue to be sold as normal, she added.