JonnyF

That's a weak straw man. I don't know which secular group you think I hate, but I have no issue with secular or non-secular groups (although I dislike the way certain groups use such groups for their own ends), and I especially have no issue with Buddhism, quite the opposite in fact. What I DO dislike are corrupt, self righteous Army Generals or Politicians who have (in the current case) illegally stolen power from a democratically elected government preaching morality to the populace in the name of their religion of choice, when they themselves are breaking virtually every moral code known to man. Big difference. It's not the fact that they ban alcohol either. If they banned meat, cigarettes (I quit years ago), sexual activity or whatever else they thought made them look morally superior then I would hold the same viewpoint. It's none of their business whether I (or anyone else) follows their chosen religious beliefs and practices on their chosen days. By the way I'd appreciate it if you do not deliberately misrepresent my position again. It's very unbecoming.

Maybe best you cut down on the Ganja, Bro.

I understand it perfectly well thanks. Those in power are extreme hypocrites. They lecture about morality while partaking in incredible levels of corruption. They pretend to be virtuous while drinking and 'partying' in Hiso 'hostess' clubs in ThongLor. The levels of sanctimony are staggering. They want the population to believe that they have the moral high ground while acting like degenerates behind the scenes. Even if we ignore the fact that history shows us that the mixing of religion and the state rarely ends well, the act of treating citizens like children and 'banning' alcohol in the name of their preferred choice of religion while having members of government that are convicted drug dealers doesn't sit well with me. It is virtue signalling. Hypocrisy. Sanctimony. They cannot help themselves, they are supercilious in the extreme. The fact that you voice your support for it (in the name of 'respecting the culture') strongly suggests to me that you are doing the same thing, albeit from a slightly different angle.

In the office I work we get regular ATK tests as company policy. So we all go down to the car park, get the nose violated by the Hazmat guy, test negative and then immediately go back to the office and put the masks back on. We've literally tested negative minutes ago, but dirty looks all round if one of us dares to remove the mask for 5 minutes ????. The masks are staying. Burned into the Thai psyche unfortunately.

Did you consider the possibility that they are not 'flaunting' anything, but they simply find that wearing a sweaty piece of cloth across their face in 37 degree heat as they walk/jog along the promenade enjoying the sea breeze is not particularly enjoyable, hygienic, healthy or logical?

The authorities right to virtue signal and display their control over the population.

Yes, foreigners do seem to be more capable of thinking for themselves and speaking/acting out against ridiculous/illogical rules. I guess that comes with a decent education that encourages independent thought and doesn't only focus on subservience and acquiescence to some 'higher' power. Which is probably why many of our home countries are pretty much back to normal while most of Thailand is still walking around wearing face nappies in the open air while nobody is within 100 metres of them and acting as though the Black Death is upon them.

That's fine. If you want to wear one, knock yourself out. I might still wear a N95 mask on smoggy days if I take the motorbike. However, this thread is about masks being mandatory. There is a huge difference between an individual choosing to wear a mask because of pollution and being forced to wear a mask by a government looking to assert power/control over the population.

Did you really think my post was joking about terminal illnesses in elderly Thais? That's a rhetorical question by the way because of course you didn't. It was just a weak attempt at a straw man to setup some dull, predictable virtue signalling, wasn't it? Well done Sir. Well Done. ???? Shame these treatments don't help with being a sanctimonious bore, after a 30 second diagnosis you could have qualified for a couple of kilos of grade A produce.

Medical jargon for getting stoned out of your mind and getting "the munchies".

Hopefully this is made 100% clear to all potential tourists. The famous Ad campaigns from the TAT should all feature tourists fully masked as they ride elephants, walk along deserted beaches, ride in TukTuks, sit by the pool, visit temples etc. just so it is 100% clear that your holiday will be spent wearing a sweaty face nappy. There could also be a section where a tourist is arrested for Vaping, just for the sake of clarity.

Haaland looks like a great signing. Especially when you consider United spent more than that on the likes of Maguire, Pogba, DiMaria, Fred, Martial, Fernandes etc. none of which exactly set the world alight. Obviously it's going to be way more than 51 million after fees and wages but at 21 years of age who knows what he will be worth in a few years time... They could probably sell him at 28/29 and recoup a load of the outlay. Great business.

What do they expect when the Thai education system teaches the young to never question authority, and blindly accept the nonsense that those in power spout, even when anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows it is false? They should be glad the population is so gullible and pliable, they would never have been in power so long otherwise.

Dog and Pony show. He'll stay as long as he wants. If the constitution doesn't allow it he will simply change the constitution - again!!