Thailand mulls ID wristbands, curfews for tourists

[WhizBang]

Wonder what the fine will be for not wearing one?

Ha ha, yes indeed. Another money maker for the BiB.

[TallPalm]

Next step, chipped like a dog on entry. All for our safety, of course.

[Minnehaha]

I thought this was a NotTheNation gag.

That was exactly what I thought.

I had to go to the site and double check.

[Minnehaha]

Or you could opt for a leash, if you are the hang around the resort type.

[banglassie]

Oh for &%"&¤ Sake.... Yea, put wristbands on all non-Thais and "some sort of electronic tracking device", let's say one of those nice pieces some convicts get to wear around their wrists? Or even better, just implant a chip in us, but that won't be all, it would still be mandatory to tell immigration every time you change province, call the police before you go out for a drink, and if you change bar call them again and make sure daddy knows where you are.. This will absolutely make insane people on meth stop raping and killing while either just plainly insane or have lost face and got pissed off enough until they couldn't care less if they would end up in prison for the rest of their lives (that is, for time they are "jai-ron" at least...)

Seriously, make idiots be responsible, no matter nationality. Force the BiB to do their work. Yes, people WILL die. Even if you turn this into a 1984 control system, people will still die in accidents and in fights. It will always happen. You are not going to save face by making all tourists look like idiots who needs someone to look over them 24/7...

There's a ot of crap going on here, we are all well aware of that. But those saying that Thailand completely lost it and that it's time to move to Phnom Penh, please read up on the cold blooded murders and people disappearing over there as well, especially in PP and Sihanoukville.
Thailand has flaws, and that's what they should focus on to begin with, in fact wasn't that what this Coup was all about?? Ending corruption or whatever they where ranting about??
Well End Corruption then! Start with the BiB!
This is an unfortunate sad case that happened in Koh Tao, but not all tourists who end up in problems are completely innocent. Learn the climate and live accordingly..

They make it all seem so black or white.. Either it's all about the tourists faults, tourist killing tourist, and if that doesn't work then it's the Burmese or Khmers, those cold-hearted outsiders who don't even know how to speak proper Thai!
OR, it changes direction in a U-turn, where they make it seem like we are in one of the most dangerous countries on Earth where you need wristbands and tracking devices, "just in case na!". That for sure will make people feel safe and welcome here...

I recently have to check my calendar on daily basis to see if I somehow skipped a few months to 1st of April....
Absolutely ridiculous, and it will absolutely never be enforced and will become about as serious as people are about going to immigration when they sleep in another province, or carry their passport 24/7.. Not gonna happen..

Edited September 30, 2014 by banglassie

[JDGRUEN]

Ten - twelve years back the state of Florida, USA... had a rash of tourist forced over and made to stop - then robbed, assaulted and some murdered... They were almost all tourists... How did the robbers/muggers/murderers know? The rental car stickers on the cars... After a Brit couple was murdered, Florida passed a law requiring the removal of all identifying tags, stickers, plates from rental cars... The problem subsided ...

They picked on tourists thinking they would more likely have cash and valuables and not be wary of such things..

I hope this idea that has come up in the Thai Government dies a quick and silent death... This dumb idea surpasses anything to date.

[Tatsujin]

Next it will be a big yellow star/image of Buddha/elephant/something else to be affixed to the chest to make sure everyone knows we are "foreigners" and are ready to be "assisted" . . .

[Pinothippy]

Is it April 1st?

[NongKhaiKid]

I received a news text which said that also under consideration was the creation of tourist ' safe areas ' on islands and in resort areas etc !

I can imagine tourists flocking to be herded into a compound, ghetto or whatever anyone wants to call it.

By designating ' safe ' areas they are in essence saying outside them is bandit country so why would anyone bother visiting such a country ?

Once again open mouth without engaging brain.

[BMF1960]

This is beginning to sound a bit like the yellow badges marking the Jews in pre-war Germany! Any 'mark' or 'brand' would only have a detrimental effect. Officials, more thinking before publishing should be the order of the day!

[smokie36]

So all tourist will be tagged once they enter thailand?

"Don't tag me I'm a visa runner!"

[shirtless]

If they ever get to implement this idea , which i doubt you wont have any tourists to track, Tourism is down and this mentality will totally kill the industry.

[ikke]

An earlier press release on the minister.....

"Just like the previous Minister of Tourism and Sports, Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is totally unqualified to serve this position.

It appears she got the job because she is married to Thai Police Major General Chonnasith."

[greenchair]

Work well until your buddy decides to rape the pretty girl he was assigned to. "Oh but it was her fault,she wasn't ugly and she was wearing a bikin"

[Sena Dave]

"pairing tourists with a local minder at tourist destinations, was also being discussed" Yes I can imagine if the "Buddy" gets paid I'm sure that wont be vulnerable to exploitation from Gangs , just like doorman are not involved in gangs and mafia type orginisations

[Chang_paarp]

The costs involved with the "minder" would deter some, unless they were permitted to select or nominate their minder. One way of deterring non "high end" tourists.

Another case of not putting brain into gear before engaging mouth.

[lemonjelly]

It's ridiculous, as government minister ideas often are. I think the minister was throwing the idea around much in the same way as someone might throw a piano out of a window to see what it sounds like.......I very much doubt it'll be implemented.

[coma]

Potentially the most pathetic idea I have heard of. No brains or common knowledge from this motley crew.

What is needed is tracking devices on the BIB to make sure they are out on the job and not in the bars drinking or at home in bed when they are on duty.

Edited September 30, 2014 by coma

[Snig27]

Did you not see the byline on this? https://twitter.com/MimiSawitta

The notion that a) a Malaysian newspaper would make this up (including quotes) and then b)Reuters would run with it, is a little surreal.

The whole story is a little surreal.

I'd argue it's pretty much par for the course from this lot. Rarely a day passes when a statement like this doesn't arrive these days.

Of course, a "Dusit" poll will turn up in the Nation or BP within a day or so with 73% approving of the idea.

[jaidam]

I would rather see known rapists and murderers that through birthright are untouchable by law wearing wristbands marking them out to tourists that do not understand the entrenched mafia heirarchy. A curfew would also be a good idea for these entitled scumbags.

[jpeg]

I thought this was a NotTheNation gag.

Not unless they've teamed up with the Guardian UK http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/30/thailand-tourists-issued-identification-wristbands-ministe

[taony]

I guess business cards with a little map on the back don't cut it anymore.

[Bluespunk]

Even better, Immigration strap tagging and location devices to the ankles of all tourists entering the kingdom...

She beat you to it

"The next step would be some sort of electronic tracking device but this has not yet been discussed in detail.”

[icare999]

i love this country and wont live anywhere else but government officials here must be most stupid brainless politicians and beurocrats ever or anywhere on this planet

You have to laugh or you'd cry

[uptheos]

Couple out partying......approached by friendly man

"Hello where you come from, where you stay?" "Oh I see on wristband you stay at XXX hotel room 123, very good idea this band"........ "Be back in one minute must phone my wife see if baby OK"

Walks away, makes phone call..."Hello Khun XXX they having party cannot be back at hotel for at least 1 hour......knock yourself out"

Comes back, "very sorry about that, wife says have some drinks with your new friends maybe come for dinner one night.......I buy you drink, let's have nice party?"

Everyone is happy

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

I received a news text which said that also under consideration was the creation of tourist ' safe areas ' on islands and in resort areas etc !

I can imagine tourists flocking to be herded into a compound, ghetto or whatever anyone wants to call it.

By designating ' safe ' areas they are in essence saying outside them is bandit country so why would anyone bother visiting such a country ?

Once again open mouth without engaging brain.

A safe area is maybe an area with no Thais around?

[Mango Bob]

Who selected this person for the job as Tourism Minister. Oh yes I remember now. Time to get rid of this useless minister and reform this Ministry.

[Snig27]

i love this country and wont live anywhere else but government officials here must be most stupid brainless politicians and beurocrats ever or anywhere on this planet

You have to laugh or you'd cry

These are not government officials, they are hand-selected ministers making these sorts of statements as often as not.

[webfact]

Thailand tourists may be issued with identification wristbands, minister says
Proposed scheme would help track drunk or lost visitors, as industry reacts to murder of two British backpackers
Reuters in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Identification wristbands may be distributed to tourists in Thailand, the country’s tourism minister says.

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said she had approached hotels over the idea of handing out wristbands to help identify tourists who get lost or into trouble.

“When tourists check in to a hotel they will be given a wristband with a serial number that matches their ID and shows the contact details of the resort they are staying in, so that if they’re out partying late and, for example, get drunk or lost, they can be easily assisted,” Kobkarn said.

“The next step would be some sort of electronic tracking device but this has not yet been discussed in detail.”

She said a “buddy system”, pairing tourists with a local minder at tourist destinations, was also being discussed.

The murder of two British backpackers raised fresh concerns over tourist safety in Thailand this month.

The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found on a beach on the southern island of Koh Tao on 15 September.

Full story: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/30/thailand-tourists-issued-identification-wristbands-ministe

-- The Guardian 2014-09-30

[Commerce]

Kill one... after you raped her... kill another,,,,,, after you raped her, and simply swap wrist bands..... easy...... they did it to each other.... (deleted)ks sakes. Never a Thai!