Let’s face, when you hear the word “Thailand” you think of a swinging anything goes kind of place, where the rules that other people have are pretty much left by the wayside. So what would offend in such a place? What could bring shame? Well, it turns out that the one thing people fear is Hello Kitty:

Police chiefs in the Thai capital, Bangkok, have come up with a new way of punishing officers who break the rules – an eye-catching Hello Kitty armband.

The armband is large, bright pink and has a Hello Kitty motif with two hearts embroidered on it.

From today, officers who are late, park in the wrong place or commit other minor transgressions will have to wear it for several days.

The girly armband is designed to shame those who must bear it, officials say. Frankly, we think wearing an armband of The Turds or the Bratz would be more humiliating, but every society has its own mores. Who are we to judge?

[Thanks to Martha C. for the link.]