Trump Card

Almost every airline and hotel chain touts a loyalty card. Taking that concept a giant step forward, Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, is offering jet-setters memberships in a card scheme whose benefits can be enjoyed across the entire country.

Last month, Thaksin welcomed 80 high-flying businessmen as inaugural members of the Thailand Elite Privilege Club. For a one-off lifetime fee of $25,000, the millionaires were each presented with a Thailand Elite card entitling them to discounts on Thai Airways and at Thailand's best hotels, free golf at a slew of courses, free spa treatments, a fast track through...

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