PTY BU SUP OCT18_6

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT
THAILAND’S CUSTOMS
SERVICE WINS SECOND
PLACE IN ASEAN
Thai customs won second place in the efficiency
ratings amongst ASEAN countries making the country
a leading logistics hub. Singapore won first place
in a survey called the World Bank’s Logistics Performance
Index (LPI).
Thailand also did well in the global index rising
13 places to come in at 32nd position up from 45th,
out of 160 nations.
In another article called the Trade Facilitation
Indicators 2018 report, commissioned by the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development,
it was noted that Thailand had been rewarded
for improved customs clearance processes, clearer
procedures, the introduction of automated facilities
and reducing paperwork as well as having in place a
simple and fair appeals procedure.
As regards the prevention of illicit products, Thailand
did well in another index called the Global Illicit
Trade Environment Index 2018 by
the Economist. The country came 45th out of 84
countries. The index measures indicators and activities
that went towards cracking down on the import
and export of illegal products.
All of the specific customs indices showed improvement
and this will help Thailand’s standing in
the more important Ease of Doing Business report
commissioned by the World Bank. This is important
as it is used by international investors to help make
decisions for new plants and new projects within the
Kingdom.
In the “Doing Business 2018” report, the flagship
report by the World Bank Group, Thailand came in at
26th position for ease of doing business out of 190
countries. In 2017 the Kingdom stood at 48th position
so this is a very big step up. Thailand was impressive
in making improvements to the extent that
its strides gained it the accolade as one of the top 10
improvers for the first time.
It is a testament to the government’s efforts to
promote Thailand as a business friendly nation and
aims to create a backdrop for international private
investment.
One notable metric was that the average time it
takes to start a business in Thailand fell from 27.5
days to just 4.5 days due to a streamlining of regulations
and the introduction of reforms to make the
Kingdom more business friendly.
Thailand also introduced new laws to protect
the rights of borrowers and lenders alike including
broadening the scope of assets that can be used as
security to gain credit.
The PM’s Office Minister, Kobsak Pootrakool,
commented that Thailand could be in the top 20
countries as early as 2019 if there were further improvements
on construction permits and registering
property as well as improving ways to handle insolvency
and trading across borders.
Other areas that already had been improved
could see further tweaks such as increasing the use
of online and other computer based systems for various
business services.
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“Thailand Privilege Card launched its 15th Anniversary
party and presented an operative report
to show its part in helping the Thai government
boost the country’s economy and Thai tourism after
a 66.35% increase in turnover measured over a
10-month period from 2017.
Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., the operator of
the Thailand Elite Card, organized the Elite Friend
of Thailand event to celebrate the 15th Anniversary
of the Thailand Privilege Card. Attending the auspicious
event as the president of honor was Mr. Yuthasak
Supasorn, Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., at the headquarters
of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., on Sathorn
Road.
Mr.Yutthasak Supasorn, the chairman of the
Thailand Privilege Card company, revealed the company’s
annual operating result for 2018, within the
10 month period between October 1st 2017 and July
31st 2018, showing Thailand Privilege Card’s revenue
as 790 million baht, a 66.35% increase in growth
(calculating from the same period in 2017 with a revenue
of 474.88 million baht), and surpassing its goal
of 44.37% increase (revenue of 551 million baht).
Net profit stands at 239 million baht as a result of the
increase in sales and membership fees.
Prominent benefits of the Thailand Privilege Card
that have been attracting international cardholders
include a long-stay Thai visa, fuss-free arrival and
departure at airports, as well as a trouble-free stay
within the Kingdom of Thailand not to mention other
benefits in business and service provided by our
friends and partners. The objective is to give cardholders
the very best service and comfort whilst in
Thailand, under the scheme “Simply Extraordinary
Country, Membership Crafted for Friend of Thailand”.
Luxury business and service-related benefits
include a chauffeured limousine ride to hotels and
residences, spa service at the partnered wellness
centers, EPA service (Elite Personal Assistance) at
Suvarnabhumi and Phuket Airports, golfing at the
partnered clubs, and a visa extension service at indicated
service points.
At present the company does not plan to increase
additional benefits as the existing privileges
Email: ben.hightowerltd@gmail.com
already satisfy the overall demands of members.
However, it will prioritize in expanding the number
of Alliance service providers with hopes of providing
more efficient services to cardholders.
“As our cardholders are long-stay expatriates
who contribute significantly to the economy through
high levels of spending especially in renting real
estate, purchasing condominiums, and using business-related
services from our alliance these practices
are considered a kind of
THAILAND
PRIVILEGE CARD
CELEBRATES
ITS 15TH
ANNIVERSARY
investment and expenditure within the country, and
benefit the Thai economy, not only in the travel industry
sector, but the industrial sector as a whole”.
Mr.Yuthasak added that the total membership
tally of the Thailand Elite Card from its inception in
2003 until 31 July 2018 had reached 6,192 (consisting
of 2,452 founding members and 3,740 new
members from 2013 until 31 July 2018), with the
top 10 resident countries of the cardholders being
China, Britain, Japan, the USA, France, Australia,
Bangladesh, Russia, Germany and Switzerland. “For
new memberships in the fiscal year 2018 (October
2017-July 2018), there is a dramatic rise to 1,310
members from 2017 fiscal year which is counted as
26.8% growth. We could conclude that the majority
of the new members are from China (29%), followed
by Japan (8.3%), Britain (6.3%), France (6%), the
United States of America (5.4%) and other territories
(45%)”.
“It can be seen that the Thailand Elite Card Co.,
Ltd., possesses an excellent customer base because
Thailand is a prime destination, thanks to its
climate, food, culture and travel destinations. If we
venture out into international markets, especially in
fast-growing China and Japan, which are both witnessing
a dramatic increase in new-generation business
people - not to mention European and American
markets - it will greatly contribute to a stronger
customer base for the Thailand Elite Card. The
company has participated in road shows organized
by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, implementing
plans and participating in sales activities with sales
agents in targeted countries. We have also recruited
more sales people to cover the desired targeted destinations,
both local and international, with a significant
proportion of native representatives, as well as
making contact with alliances that meet the demand
of members and to improve the branding of the Thailand
Elite Card, with hopes to efficiently influence the
growth of new card applicants.
Mr. Yuthasak further explained that the top three
bestselling card categories are the Elite Easy Access
which costs 500,000 baht, and is a valid for five
years, perfect for a solo traveler; the Elite Superior
Extension which costs 1,000,000 baht and is valid for
20 years, designed for retired and long-term expatriates;
and the Elite Family Excursion, which costs
800,000 baht and is valid for eight years perfect for
short-stay visitors and families as it comes with a
promotional price when purchased for more than two
individuals.
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