Following the recent military coup and murder of two British travelers, Thailand is considering several measures to address the country’s safety concerns for tourists.
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand’s tourism minister, announced proposals that include identification wristbands that would be handed out tourists entering the country and would help, she said, those who get lost or in trouble, according to Reuters.
“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,” Wattanavrangkul said.
Other preliminary ideas such as using an electronic tracking system, restricting hours or location of beach parties, or pairing tourists with a “local minder” in a “buddy” program, where being discussed.
The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found on a beach on the southern island of Koh Tao on Sept. 15.
Postmortem examinations by Thailand’s forensics department showed Witheridge died from severe head wounds and Miller died from drowning and blows to the head.
Yet, tourists, who travel to Thailand for its pristine beaches and alcohol-fueled beach parties, may object to some of the proposed restrictions.
“Most people welcome the idea, but some hotels are concerned that tourists may not want to wear the wristbands,” the tourism minister said.
Thai tourism is in a slump following a May 22 coup, and with the recent murders, many tourists may think twice about traveling to the country. Thailand has seen a nearly 12 percent drop in tourist arrivals compared to August of last year, according to Reuters.
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