Thailand鈥檚 tourism minister is batting around the idea of making tourists wear identification wristbands when they visit. The concept comes amid concerns over tourist safety, prompted by the murder of two British backpackers in September.
Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were killed on the island of Koh Tao, and their bodies were found on September 15. Police have no leads on suspects so far.聽
Tourism and Sports minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul that she had brought up the idea to several hotels of handing out ID wristbands so they can keep track of tourists who may get in trouble.聽
鈥淲hen tourists check into 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 if they鈥檙e out partying late and, for example, get drunk or lost, they can be easily assisted,鈥 Kobkarn told Reuters. 鈥淭he next step would be some sort of electronic tracking device, but this has not yet been discussed in detail.鈥澛
Kobkarn鈥檚 idea has met with some resistance, and she told Reuters that while most people are receptive, hotels are concerned that tourists will not want to wear the wristbands.
Other ideas are organizing a buddy system that would pair tourists with a 鈥渓ocal minder鈥 at tourist spots, putting a cap on party hours on some of the country鈥檚 islands, and imposing restrictions on where beach parties can be held.聽
Thai authorities have tried other tourist safety measures in the past. , after a murder in 2008, a former tourism minister said that female tourists would be given emergency whistles.
Tourism accounts for nearly 10 percent of Thailand鈥檚 GDP, and the sector has recently taken a hit due to a military coup, violent street protests, and the murders.