Wristband for tourists in Thailand
Thailand wants to give tourists a wristband. In this way, people can be quickly identified if they are in trouble. This has been announced by the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.
The measure follows the murder of two British tourists two weeks ago. They were killed and found on the beach of the island of Koh Tao. The double murder led to a lot of fuss and the question was raised whether Thailand is a safe holiday destination. Tourism is an important source of income for Thailand. The sector accounts for almost ten percent of Thailand's GDP.
It is the intention that the distribution of the bracelets is done by the hotels. They want to participate in the initiative. "No matter what happens to tourists, the authorities will always know their name, nationality and hotel," said Director General Arnuparp Gaesornsuwan of the Tourism Department. He adds that the tapes will contain no more personal information than necessary.
General Apichai Ti-armataya of the tourist police clarifies that this is not a mandatory measure. "When tourists are drunk and fall asleep on the beach, we can take them back to the hotel."
He adds that the system will "soon" be applied to several islands including Koh Tao.
Source: various media including NOS.nl.
In a few words: this is not a bad idea at all, I myself have experienced enough drunk tourists who were looking for their hotel in the middle of the night, in accidents where the tourist is unconscious, at least they know who they are, condition is of course it is that tourists see the positive sides of the idea and wear the wristband and do not immediately give all kinds of reasons not to cooperate.
Yours faithfully,
Lex k.
Just a little while and then the regime will come up with the idea of providing all incoming tourists with an electronic ankle bracelet at Suvarnabuhmi …………….
In the same article in the Bangkok Post, which mentions this ridiculous idea, it is simultaneously reported that the next step may be an electronic tracking device.
The one anticipated/dreaded by Cornelis? electronic ankle bracelet is therefore already something that is being 'seriously' considered.
Great (?) idea but then make it into a stainless steel band that can only be removed by the hotel or the police. Robberies are often accompanied by violence and whether that thin plastic hospital band stays in place….
Typically putting the cart before the horse. Do something about security on the street, do something against police who want to look the other way, do something about street lighting and put cameras on hot spots and do something about informing tourists.
This idea is nothing. Nothing at all.
A ridiculous idea. Maybe good for some idiots, but I never see myself walking around with a band like that. If it's on a voluntary basis, ok, but should you do it in Thailand, then I think after a while hardly anyone wants to go on holiday in Thailand anymore. A writer on Thaivisa thought that we should immediately have a large yellow T sewn on our T-shirt (very rude). And maybe you can choose which color? Red or yellow? According to the political mood? Or rose, if you're gay?
Big brother is watching you!
It depends on how you look at it. I am a free bird and no one is going to put a wrist or anklet on me, ever.
Not only to better explain people on the streets of Thailand, but also to stimulate the Thai economy, I suggest the following bands:
– an art deco wristband for retired expats in Bangkok and Pattaya;
– a black wristband for Thai lawbreakers/scammers/criminals;
– a black and white wristband for foreign lawbreakers/scammers/criminals;
– a gold wristband for members of mafia organizations in Thailand (around 100 clubs);
– a transparent wristband for Thai women who are still virgins;
– a double size wristband for Thai women who have more than 1 lover;
– a wristband with hearts for the Thai women who are really looking for love;
– a purple wristband for foreigners who don't like som-tam;
– a rice-white wristband for foreigners living in Isan;
– a rubber wristband for foreigners living in the south;
– a dark blue wristband for foreigners living on a Thai island;
– a light-blue wristband for all foreigners who sometimes comment on Thailandblog.
As far as the determination of name and nationality is concerned, it is a superfluous idea.
After all, everyone must always carry an identity document with them.
I'd feel something for such a tape, if I could leave my passport in the safe in my hotel room.
maybe it is better to get an ear tag upon arrival in Thailand, they do this in the Netherlands, but with animals.
I think it's a crazy idea, not of this time.
Not a good idea, take a name card from your hotel outside, they also know which hotel you are in. And as fransamsterdam said everyone must be able to identify themselves, this is of course also possible with a copy of your passport or id card. My passport is always in the hotel room, so I never take it outside. If the police make a fuss about the copy, you can always show the original in due course. If your passport is stolen, you have a much bigger problem.
No, you cannot identify yourself with a copy. Although I always have the original in my hotel room, you are still somewhat disobedient to tourists. And I'm a guest in Thailand so I prefer to stick to the rules.
Dear French,
A copy of your passport is indeed accepted.
I never take my passport with me or a copy and I even bring money with me or exchange money at the Thai bank.
And I think the wristband is ridiculous. Just a little while and you will indeed get an ear tag!
Just act normal, don't do things you wouldn't do in your own country and you're also cool and fun when you just stay sober!!!!
The stupidest idea I've heard from a Thai minister for years. And all because 2 English tourists were murdered on Koh Tao. By the way, they were identified within 10 minutes.
The minister of tourism should make more and more efforts to find the perpetrators of those murders
and prevent murders and rapes, instead of creating smokescreens with retarded wristbands.
Jac's idea to earmark everyone upon entering Thailand should be presented to the minister of tourism. She is crazy enough for it 🙂
Give everyone a card (debit card size) with the data on it (with barcode) ... you can stick it where you want and you are identifiable. Then no longer a mandatory passport with you and some more of that nonsense they sometimes come up with here.
Then the police would be in possession of a device that can scan that thing and that's it...but that is certainly too difficult/expensive for them. Mobile device with scanner that can scan a barcode and then consult a database.
Why so difficult? Isn't it easier to tattoo that barcode on the tourist's forehead right at the immigration counter?
Moderator: Please stick to Thailand.
I think that's very good, I always have this with me on my chest when I go touring alone
also in thai at the back you never know prevention
In case of emergency
Bring me to
Changmai ram hospital
I have a health insurance
Please call Tiw 0895570394
Or 053 424733
My name is FJA van MOURIK
It is to be hoped that Mr van Mourik does not have an accident in Pattaya or is found drunk on the beach of Phuket (joke) because then it is a long drive to Changmai 🙂
Everyone has something with them to identify themselves: debit card, credit card, driver's license, copy of passport, hotel card, business card, mobile phone, etc. etc. A bracelet adds nothing.
Besides, if a perpetrator doesn't want them to know who you are, it'll be cut off soon enough.
In short, a ridiculous panic reaction from the minister of tourism. Stop that nonsense as soon as possible and concentrate on preventing crimes and finding possible perpetrators.
Perhaps an idea to give people a chip just like they do with animals, just apply a chip with gprs tracing worldwide.
Then one can keep a better administration where everyone is and can request medical data, also with regard to tracing criminals, so a chip that can also be traced with GPRS so that one can also trace a plane missing with persons, simply place it at birth and this apply worldwide so that there can be no debate about discrimination.
At any Kodak shop you can have a copy of your passport and visa made for a few baths and laminated to credit card size, costs 40 bath. Still a copy, but better than nothing, or lugging your passport around.
Wouldn't it be better to implant a chip in everyone from birth as it is already mandatory to do with your pets, instead of having to walk around with an identity card. We are still in the technological age why still use those paper identity cards. And no one who will ever suffer from such a chip grows with you. Traceable anytime, anywhere, not only in Thailand but worldwide.
I think a copy of your passport is more than enough to identify you. An original passport should be kept in the hotel safe or other safe place to prevent misuse and theft.
If a copy is not sufficient for a possible police check, they will certainly come with you in your Hotel.
Someone who drags his original passport to a beach or a bar every day takes a great risk of it being stolen and is acting very stupid. If everyone carries a copy of their passport or proof of identity, this has the same effect as a tourist bracelet. Furthermore, the question remains, who will pay for this idiotic tape action, it cannot be that the generality has to pay for a few drunks who cannot identify themselves and are too drunk to notice the name of the hotel.
What a ridiculous idea. As if this makes Thailand safer. There are other ideas for identification. For example, like in the Netherlands where everyone is obliged to have an ID with them. (Isn't that also mandatory in Thailand? ) Distribution of the wristbands by hotels. But what about all those tourists who do not stay in a hotel? Like backpackers and family visitors? This is very poorly thought out.