Minister Earns Slap on the Wrist for ID Idea for Thailand Tourists
By Alan Morison Tuesday, September 30, 2014
PHUKET: Thailand Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has suggested ID wristbands for holiday visitors - a quick reactive idea that she will probably soon regret having aired publicly.
Wristbands would enable scammers and criminals to see more easily which people were new arrivals and adjust their plans accordingly.
After the rare rape-murder of a Swedish woman on Phuket some years back - the attacker was quickly caught and found to be insane - a tourism industry leader suggested issuing female tourists with whistles.
The minister's suggestion of wristbands is just another diversion from the core issue: the need to make sure that all visitors and residents are properly safeguarded at all times by Thailand's law enforcers.
Most tourists have no particular wish to be identified instantly as tourists. They would prefer to blend in - unless the time comes when they find themselves in trouble.
Of course, any tourists who are unfortunate enough to finish up as dead bodies would be easier to identify, if Khun Kobkarn's suggestion was adopted.
But there is really no need for anyone to assume that they will finish up needing to be identified by a wristband.
We do hope the minister heeds the inevitable reaction over the next few days that will quickly see the wristband idea dismissed for good.
Good prevention and protection, Khun Kobkarn, is what Thailand's tourists and residents need most.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Brilliant idea ! Is it April fool's day already ??
This from the tourism minister ? Wonderful !
Just ban pesky tourists altogether - that will solve the problem.....
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
September 30, 2014 13:18
How about issuing the wristbands to the Thai convicted criminals who leave their hometowns and descend on Tourist islands to continue committing crimes?
Posted by
phuket madness
on
September 30, 2014 14:08
Comments like this from our leaders destroy hope for a 'better' Thailand.
Posted by
Mr. K
on
September 30, 2014 14:39
Editor Comment:
I think it's a sign that the new minister has the best of intentions but needs to talk to a few real people rather than the ''noddies'' of the industry who will tell her whatever she suggests is a great idea. She will learn and be a better minister.
According to other language news sources this is not just an idea but a measure. Next is an electronic system to be able to track all tourists.
I don't see this happen but floating an idea like this does make me wonder about the capabilities of the Thai leaders.
Posted by
stevenl
on
September 30, 2014 15:29
Editor Comment:
If you believe other sources, stick with them. We're not really interested.
How about this for an earth shaking idea. Have the police do their job enforcing the law instead of working freelance for influential people or spending their time collecting 'tea money' for their bosses.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
September 30, 2014 15:37
"If you believe other sources, stick with them. We're not really interested."
That is really not the point, as I said, I don't see this happening.
The point is that other news sources are mentioning this, which is not good for the image of Thailand.
Posted by
stevenl
on
September 30, 2014 15:50
Editor Comment:
We're not really interested in what other sources have to say, stevenl. Whether you don't see it happening or not is also of no significance.
We have another reader telling us: ''Ed, perhaps you need a new 'source,' it also missed a proposed curfew for tourists.''
That reader's opinion is also of no value. He also can't tell reliable information from poor information.
Hmmm. The problem would be at immigration too slow to issue the bands. Better just to give all officers a injection gun that can implant a chip, like dog's & cat's in other progressive countries. :))
Posted by
hotgem
on
September 30, 2014 17:29
Personally I'd wear an wristband if it would stop:
a) Shopkeepers et al answering in English when I speak to them in Thai
b) Getting solicited by the same tired old masseuses day after day when out walking the dog (even with the kids)
c) Being asked 'how long have you been here?' and being judged on the (irrelevant) reply
Posted by
Sam Wilko
on
September 30, 2014 17:33
If this was the best idea wouldn't we like to hear about those not considered.
When this is reported by world media tomorrow, especially after the Koh Tao investigation and incompetence, Thailand will be seen as destination to go when all preferred options have been exhausted.
Their will be some egg on the faces of those seeking refuge back in the security of the coup.
Posted by
Manowar
on
September 30, 2014 18:23
How about giving the immigration officers at Phuket airport a wristband, after they approved not to be corrupt in their airport job? ( asking 100 thb for a illegal fast lane service). Make sure Phuket airport immigration officers
do not illegal taxi driving from airport to any destination and stop threatening honest taxi drivers who like to follow NCPO ruling!.
Posted by
Kurt
on
September 30, 2014 18:49
Maybe on arrival each tourist could have an identification number tattooed on their wrist, this would simplify dealing with " the tourist peril".
Posted by
Manowar
on
September 30, 2014 18:53
a Thai tourist minister should not bully tourist. That minister should by now worry more about the 2 murders on Koh Tao, + the 4 killings on Phi phi!
No wristband would have prevent all these death cases. Minister, put the blame on your people, not on the killed tourists! Put your energy in bringing the culprits to justice. Hello, this is end 2014, almost AEC-2015. Get real.
Posted by
Kurt
on
September 30, 2014 18:54
What would be handy would be a form of ID cards for long term residents on retirement visas or similar to negate the requirement to (in theory) carry passports at all times.
Tying it in with a swipe card tied into the immigration computer to confirm one's status would not be a huge technological achievement in the computer age. 90 day reporting could be done at local police stations as well.
Posted by
mister Ree
on
September 30, 2014 18:55
Minister, all the Phukettaxi and tuk tuk criminals who are released with a slap on the wrist,..THEY should have a a wristband, NOT the tourists!
Posted by
Kurt
on
September 30, 2014 18:59
UK.GOV travel advice:"By law, you must carry your passport with you at all times in Thailand. Tourists have been arrested because they were unable to produce their passport on request."
If introduced, could one presume that these wristbands would replace the need for tourists to carry around their passports? With the current difficulties in obtaining a replacement UK passport this idea may have its merits especially for Brit tourists. If waterproof then you could keep it on when swimming or on the beach, leaving your passport locked up in your hotel safe. It's just a form of ID. I would have thought the tourists could remove the wristband if they preferred to carry around their passports. Personally I would prefer a wristband.
Posted by
chill
on
October 1, 2014 01:55
I have booke 3 tours to Thailand this winter and must say, that if I am to be issued with and asked to wear a wristband then, this will be my last visits to Thailand.
Furthermore i will sorely miss the sunbeds on the Beach. The guys renting out the chairs also looked out for pick pockets and thiefs, so nothing was ever stolen. With just a towel on the sand its like "an open house" invitation for a thief. Comon Thailand - other countries can regulate their beaches without scaring away the tourists and the income they leave.
Posted by
Lars
on
October 1, 2014 22:55
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Brilliant idea ! Is it April fool's day already ??
This from the tourism minister ? Wonderful !
Just ban pesky tourists altogether - that will solve the problem.....
Posted by Amazing Thailand on September 30, 2014 13:18