Thailand chases tourist elite

Thailand is reportedly charging well-off travellers the equivalent of GBP25,000 – just for the right to be classified as a “VIP tourist”. According to the BBC News website, more than 80 people have already been persuaded to part with their cash – and in return they will get special “fast-track” treatment at immigration, cheap deals at many of the country’s luxury hotels, and will also be allowed to buy property in Thailand. The Thai tourist authority reportedly wants to invite 100,000 people worldwide to participate in the scheme, and is aiming to attract rich visitors from countries including the UK, United States, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. Paisat Kaenchan, director of the Thailand Privilege Card Company, which is administering the scheme, reportedly said: “In the old days we opened our country to almost everyone; right now we have to concentrate on people who spend more money.” Tourism has long been an important part of the Thai economy but has been hit in the last two years by the war on Iraq, the perceived terror threat, and the outbreak of SARS.