Tourists Could Face Death Penalty Over Airport Selfies

Selfies can be deadly.

Just recently a tourist died at the Grand Canyon when he got too close to the edge while trying to get the perfect shot. (In fact, this happens all the time.)

But while we all know about dangerous selfies- few anticipated that a selfie could actually result in the DEATH PENALTY.

That is now the case for tourists visiting an infamous beach in Thailand…

According to Fox News:

Picture-obsessed tourists visiting Thailand’s Mai Khao beach might want to put their phones down — or they stand to face the death penalty.

…What?

That seems… excessive.

Authorities are cracking down on visitors to the beach, which borders one of the country’s busiest airports, Phuket International Airport, after it has become popular with tourists looking to take snaps with low-flying planes.

Pictures like these have become a staple “adventurous” travelers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuTnTuNlqvw/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btu1OP9B7Yt/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs90dLpD8qR/

But no more. Unless they’re willing to face some VERY steep consequences.

The portion of the beach near the airport’s runway has become known as “Unseen Phuket,” and tourists flock to the section to pose with the landing planes.

According to the Bangkok Post, authorities have become more concerned as the beach has grown in popularity and is developing a new safety zone near the runway that will ban people from entering. Authorities fear the influx of people on the beach could pose as a distraction for pilots.

Airport chief Wichit Kaeothaithiam told the Bangkok Post that stricter regulations must be applied as required by the International Civil Aviation Organization and violators must be subject to punishments under the Air Navigation Act.

Violators allegedly will face harsh punishments, such as a fine of 40,000 baht ($1,253) or a jail sentence of up to 20 years, The Sun reported.

The death penalty, however, is reserved for those who seem to be purposely impeding the flight:

Airport Chief Wichit Kaeothaithiam told the Post that the “maximum penalty” for tourists who distract pilots near the Phuket International Airport was the “death sentence,” but the tourism authority now says that such punishment is reserved only for actions that are deliberately intended to impede the plane or the captains’ performance, and not simply the act of posing for selfies on a secured section of Mai Khao beach.

All of this may seem VERY over the top – but there have been some disastrous consequences to this sort of stunt:

Tourists looking to snag selfies with low-flying aircraft have been a problem at another popular beach, as well.

Maho Beach on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin has suffered deaths and criticisms over its tourists who want to get an up-close plane pic.

A 57-year-old woman vacationing in Saint Martin was killed after a blast from a nearby jet knocked her to the ground. Officials say the woman had been holding onto a fence that separates the beach from the airport when winds generated by the jet’s engines blasted her back.

So basically… one way or another, that “Epic” selfie could cost you your life.

So maybe it’s a good idea to play it safe and stick to the sunset shots.