Thai Government Aims for One Million Tourist Discount Cards Sold in Four Years.

Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut

Jul. 24--The government has set a lofty target to sell up to one million Privilege Cards, which will entitle cardholders to discounts at popular tourism venues, within four years.

The cards, at a price of one million baht each, or about US$23,800, are the brainchild of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to generate quick cash to the country's battered tourism industry.

Targeted well-to-do foreigners will be offered lifetime discounts to golf courses, spas and up to 50 percent off airfares to Thailand.

Somkid Jatusripitak, the deputy prime minister who oversees tourism, said that 300,000 of the cards are …