Most GSSA–partner relationships live in meeting rooms: Zoom calls about applications, email threads about document queries, occasional visits to head offices. They function, but they don't scale into the kind of easy, long-term relationships that carry you through a decade. For that, Daimaru Trading and Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. have golf.
The format
The annual tournament — Thailand Elite Cup until 2020, rebranded to Thailand Privilege Cup in 2023 (matching the program's own rebrand) — is co-hosted by Daimaru Trading, Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., and the Tourism Authority of Thailand on most editions. Each tournament draws 120–140 participants, mostly Japanese golfers who fly in for the weekend, joined by Thai officials, Daimaru's team, and (on more recent editions) Thai women pro golfers who play competitively alongside the amateurs.
2018 — TGWA Thailand Elite Cup (inaugural)
The Royal Gems Golf City · 30 January 2018 · 130+ participants
The inaugural tournament, branded as the TGWA Thailand Elite Cup, was held at The Royal Gems Golf City. Japanese professional golfer Nobuo Serizawa (of the Serizawa team) headlined. This event established the format: a single-day tournament, mixed flights of Japanese and Thai players, awards ceremony, dinner, relationships deepened.
2019 — Thailand & Japan Golf Festival · Thailand Elite × DOCUS Cup
Subhapruek Golf Club · 24 February 2019 · 120+ participants
The tournament expanded in 2019, re-branded as the Thailand & Japan Golf Festival — Thailand Elite × DOCUS Cup. DOCUS, the Japanese golf equipment and fashion brand, joined as a co-sponsor — strengthening the connection to the broader Japanese golf community.
2020 — Thailand Elite Cup supported by DOCUS
Bangkok Golf Club · 15 February 2020 · 130+ participants
One month before COVID-19 paused international travel, Daimaru held the 2020 tournament at Bangkok Golf Club, supported again by DOCUS. A Thai woman pro golfer joined the field — the beginning of a tradition that would grow substantially in later editions.
2021–2022 — Paused (COVID)
International travel restrictions made the tournament impossible across these two years. Most Thailand–Japan long-stay activity went on hold. The Daimaru–TPC relationship continued through quieter channels: roadshows adapted for the Japanese side, coordination calls, administrative work.
2023 — Thailand Privilege Cup (first under the new name)
Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club · 26 February 2023 · 140+ participants · 5 Thai women pro golfers
The tournament returned in 2023 with a new name — Thailand Privilege Cup — to match Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.'s own rebrand from "Thailand Elite" the previous autumn. Five Thai women pro golfers joined the field, establishing the rhythm of pro participation that continues today.
2024 — Thailand Privilege Cup
Suwan Golf & Country Club · 18 February 2024 · 140+ participants · 5 Thai women pro golfers
A near-identical format to 2023 — same pro pool, same scale, different venue — at Suwan Golf & Country Club. Full 2024 details and photos →
2025 — Thailand Privilege Cup (expanded co-hosts)
Robinswood Golf Club · 18 February 2025 · 140+ participants (mostly Japanese) · 9 Thai women pro golfers
The 2025 tournament at Robinswood was the most ambitious edition yet — nine Thai women pro golfers (nearly double 2024) and expanded co-host participation from Toyota Kinto (Toyota's mobility services division serving the Japanese expat community) and Medpark Hospital (one of Bangkok's premier private hospitals with Japanese-speaking services). Tournament site →
Eight years. Six tournaments. 800+ participants.
| Year | Tournament | Venue | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | TGWA Thailand Elite Cup | Royal Gems Golf City | 130+ |
| 2019 | Thailand & Japan Golf Festival · Thailand Elite × DOCUS Cup | Subhapruek | 120+ |
| 2020 | Thailand Elite Cup (supp. DOCUS) | Bangkok Golf Club | 130+ |
| 2021–2022 | Paused · COVID | — | — |
| 2023 | Thailand Privilege Cup | Royal Bang Pa-in | 140+ |
| 2024 | Thailand Privilege Cup | Suwan G&CC | 140+ |
| 2025 | Thailand Privilege Cup | Robinswood | 140+ |
800+ cumulative participants over six editions. A new wave of Thailand Privilege members gets its introduction to Thailand each February on a golf course.
Why this matters for Thailand Privilege applicants
You might reasonably ask: what does a golf tournament have to do with my visa application?
Directly? Nothing. Your application is processed the same way regardless of whether you ever pick up a club.
Indirectly? Quite a bit. Relationships built across eight years of Thailand Privilege Cup tournaments are what make our GSSA relationship function the way it does:
- When we need a fast answer from TPC on an edge case, we call someone we've had dinner with after 18 holes.
- When TAT's Japan offices want to coordinate a promotional event, they know who to call at Daimaru.
- When Thailand Privilege management visits Japan, they have colleagues at Daimaru they already know.
These aren't transactions. They're the accumulated trust of showing up consistently — sometimes in suits at seminars, sometimes in golf shoes at 7 AM on a Saturday in Bangkok — for eight years running.
Looking ahead
The 2026 Thailand Privilege Cup is already in planning. If you're a Thailand Privilege member interested in attending, register through Daimaru Trading's Japanese channel. If you're an applicant-to-be, we'll happily catch you up on this and every other event during your first consultation.
Get in touch
- English / Thai applications: Contact Pat · +66 65-156-1561 · info@thailandelite.net
- Japanese-language channel: タイランドエリートインフォメーションセンター · 0120-859-777 (Japan) · +81-50-3521-0296 (international)