Tourism minister mulls wristbands, curfews for tourists

[PeteC]

It's made the European edition of the Times this morning, so damage has already been done even though it's an unworkable idea that'll never see the light of day.

There's something today that it's already set for Koh Tao, Samui and Phangan starting this month.

EDIT: Correction to above. For those islands the ministry of tourism may hand them out to those arriving directly. Hotels responsible for everyone else and should start "within a few months...."

[dtaai-maai]

in Hawaii tourists receive leis on arrival.

Is my memory failing me more than usual or do I remember getting something similar draped around my neck when I first arrived in Samui by plane in 2003 (at what was then the most charming airport I'd ever used)?


I dismissed this whole business as yet another 'breakfast brainwave' by some headline seeker that would be dead in the water by lunchtime. Because of the publicity it's received here, it's hardly surprising it's been picked up by the foreign press - just the sort of idiotic notion to brighten a quiet news day.

Now I see this:

There's something today that it's already set for Koh Tao, Samui and Phangan starting this month.

EDIT: Correction to above. For those islands the ministry of tourism may hand them out to those arriving directly. Hotels responsible for everyone else and should start "within a few months...."

Surely this can't be true? Even in Thailand?

No, I absolutely refuse to believe it...

head in sand.jpg (10.83 KiB) Viewed 989 times

[JamesWest]

"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, or get raped, sodomized and have their brains split open with a hoe they can be easily assisted," Ms Kobkarn told Reuters.

[HHTel]

As someone said in the press. "They shouldn't make too many of these wristbands as there'll be no tourists left to tag!"

[Bristolian]

Looks like someone has been working on the pre production model

[Siani]

Mr S said it reminds him of a "group" we saw in Rhodes some years back. We were having a refreshment on the beach and saw all these people with orange bands. Intrigued we asked what they were all about Apparently the group were on an "eat and drink as much as you can " holiday They just go to the bar and order what they want, when they want
They got "tagged" up on arrival at the hotel

[Vital Spark]

Dear oh dear, she's tackling it from the wrong angle (now there's a surprise ). How about making wristbands (with a central computerised database)compulsory for all Thai employees involved in the tourism trade (obviously including drivers of minibuses and taxis), so that when a mishap occurs we don't get the "His name was Tun, that's all we know" rubbish.

VS

[HHTel]

Yeh, completely from the wrong angle. Wristbands for the kids which allows them to go on all the rides etc. This is not an analogy for what the 'honourable' minister of tourism is adopting.

[PeteC]

"Separately, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed reports that tourists will be encouraged to wear wristbands or register electronically upon arrival in addition to passport verification at the airport. "We can't make them wear any chip-embedded device. We want them to keep visiting Thailand," he added."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 44573.html

[margaretcarnes]

"Separately, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed reports that tourists will be encouraged to wear wristbands or register electronically upon arrival in addition to passport verification at the airport. "We can't make them wear any chip-embedded device. We want them to keep visiting Thailand," he added."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 44573.html

Well surprise suprise - they quickly realise that tagging can't be enforced. Maybe there is hope yet that the LOS will get to grips with human rights? Or am I either living in cliud cuckoo land or just too used to the place to be surprised at anything?

[Spitfire]

Steady on Margaret.....must be that early morning coffee of yours.

[Pleng]

I don't know about backtracking... amongst all the hysteria, I didn't notice anything in the articles that said they would be compulsory - it just stated that hotels would give them out to guests.

[Big Boy]

I wonder where she got her inspiration from?

paddington-bear-stamp.jpg (62.13 KiB) Viewed 593 times

It worked for Paddington.

[Name Taken]

Why should we be surprised?

Don't bother to tackle the issue of local gangsters because they don't exist. Let's not bother to train a professional police force and pay them a living wage and thereby avoid the corruption.

It's far better to consider money spending (making) ideas that will make tourists feel like prisoners on parole.
I am sure that she thinks this will improve tourist confidence and numbers. Unbelievable!!

[Name Taken]

Another day, another gaffe. This one takes the biscuit though (so far at least).....and I could pour scorn over the idea all day.

Electronic tagging and minders........FFS. How do these people end up in charge of anything? Facepalm! (Could do with a facepalm emoticon too.)

All it says to me is that by suggesting minders/electronic tagging and special areas for only tourists to party in is tantamount to the government admitting that it's not safe here and the authorities can't/won't do anything about it.

Way-to-go retards that are in charge......whoooohoooo!

It is also smacks of xenophobia.