How do you get a fair share of the leisure dollars of the world's rich and famous? It's an important question for any country that has tourism as a major industry.

And now, Thailand is offering the ultimate in country-club membership…

Thailand Elite is the world's first 'country' country-club membership, an exclusive offer to the world's rich and famous. For a lifetime membership fee of 1 million baht (about US$25,000), the Individual Elite Card provides a range of benefits:

Here's an extract from one of their recent advertisements:

Hmm… marketing a country as a country-club? We find it a little bizarre to say the least. But it's inspired thinking, and who knows, it might just catch on!