Thailand Wants Drunk Tourists to Wear Electronic ID Bracelets
Tourism in Thailand is down, presumably because of a summer of political unrest and two brutally murdered tourists, so officials are floating new ways to keep its drunkest foreign visitors safe.
Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the country may try out beach party curfews, buddy systems—pairing tourists with a local guide—and ID bracelets.
"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."
According to the LA Times, Kobkarn proposes the wristbands be used "as a security precaution" on all the resort islands. The Tourism office is also taking over the nightlife on one island to assure tourists it's safe to visit.
The announcement was reportedly in response to the murder of two British tourists. Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found dead on Sept. 15 in a particularly brutal crime scene on a Koh Tao beach.
[image via AP]