I suspect THAI gives Platinum status to many people without them having to comply with the usual qualification requirements.

If I remember correctly they introduced the Platinum level soon after there was a lot of publicity and photographs taken at check-in about government members who appeared to be abusing the baggage allowances and being given complimentary privileges with the airline.

My suspicion is that THAI gave introduced the Platinum tier and gifted Platinum cards to many many people in authority and "friends". Didn't it take a year or two until they let the general public know what the qualification requirements were?

Just my suspicion....