After Murders, Thailand Eyes Tracking Devices —for Tourists

Party curfews could be imposed
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 1, 2014 8:54 AM CDT
After Murders, Thailand Eyes Tracking Devices —for Tourists
Pornchai Suteerakune, chief of the Forensic Police Institute, updates reporters on Sept. 17, 2014, about the deaths of two British tourists.   (AP photo/Sakchai Lalit)

With the grisly murder of two British tourists making headlines worldwide, Thailand is considering a tourist-tagging system. Visitors to the country could be given bracelets with serial numbers and the contact details of their hotels "so that if they're out partying late and, for example, get drunk or lost, they can be easily assisted," tourism minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul tells Reuters. Another option, she says, is "some sort of electronic tracking device," though details haven't yet been discussed.

"Most people welcome the idea" of some kind of bracelet, Kobkarn says, though "some hotels are concerned" that tourists won't be thrilled about them. Then there's the idea of a "buddy system" that would see tourists accompanied by locals during visits to various popular spots, TVNZ reports. Partying curfews on some islands are also a possibility, as is barring beach parties in certain locations. Meanwhile, the deaths of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge remain a mystery. (More Thailand stories.)

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