Local “Shopper Card’ takes off

PHUKET TOWN: A discount card for Phuketians disillusioned with ‘international’ pricing and the gaps so often found between ‘Thai’ prices and those charged to locally resident foreigners, has met with strong demand following its October 4 launch. More than 40 “Shopper-friendly businesses” have signed on to the Gazette Shopper program, and requests for cards are being received at an average rate of nine per hour. Designed specifically for Gazette readers – foreign residents and Thais active in the international community – the new Shopper Card is issued free of charge. It can be obtained either by lodging an application at the newspaper’s offices or by registering as a ‘Gazetteer’ at https://thethaiger.com. The Shopper Card is for Phuket residents only. The most recent organization to join the program is Phuket Adventist Hospital, who signed on this afternoon. They are offering a 10% discount on annual physicals, hospital rooms, and prescription drugs. With the current backlog, issuance of the Shopper Card takes about two weeks. Discounts now on offer range from 5% to 60%. Phuket-based Gazetteers may access the list at https://thethaiger.com/shopper/list.asp