Mask Exemption.

[Wanderwoman]

Hello, 

 

I've noticed other forums discussing this, unfortunately without the answers I need, I'm also unsure how to comment on other posts. 

 

Long story short. I'm medically exempt, as instructed by my local hospital and respitory nurse/ASD specialist. 

 

I'll be living in thailand for a year for study. 

 

How can I be conscious of the kingdoms rules without compromising my health? 

 

I've seen a lady was refused all Thai translations of her medical letter, luckily I've family thay could help that, if this should be sufficient. 

 

Thank you in advance. Any insulting, ignorant or otherwise discrimination will be ignored as deserved ????

[richard_smith237]

I think one of the best things you could do is consult with a  Doctor once you arrive in Thailand. 

 

Present your ‘overseas’ medical letters and ask the Doctor to write a similar exemption and stamp it from the local hospital - Some Dr’s may be happy to do this, others may not.

 

This ‘should’ at least give you something to carry around so that any establishments wishing to prevent you from entry or service can be given this letter. Also such a letter helps if the Police wish to stop you. 

 

Of course, this will not stop other sanctimonious mask police from calling you out, but any such hassle could easily be stopped with a ‘card’ in both Thai and English with the information that you are medically exempt. 

 

 

Other options - Wear a ‘mask with a big slit in it’.... (a fake mask).

 

Alternatively wear a ‘face shield’ - the whole purpose of masks is to act a barrier preventing the ‘expulsion of water vapour from your respiratory system’....   face shields do this.

 

That said - I read an article whereby some businesses in Thailand (Air Asia included) are banning the masks with ‘vents’ - this kind of contradicts the reasons masks are required - the barrier rather than the filter. 

[ChaiyaTH]

Even you would somehow get it done, everyone would look at you frustrated most likely and could even refuse you entry in their businesses.

[Wanderwoman]

Hi Richard, 

 

Thank you for this informative reply. My post isn't meant to be confusing, unfortunately people attack other with hidden disabilities so I'm quick to the point. 

 

That all makes complete sense. I had not considered a more breathable covering alternative (slit or shield) this would at least help some of the journey, if they do not change the rules as you just said, my husbands also happy to go into places for me, but the point is to be as independent as possible, while being safe. 

 

Thank you again. 

[Wanderwoman]

Hi ChaiyaTH

 

Yes, I am fully expecting this, it's unfortunate but I do respect not all the world is educated on these things, to be honest, even when they are you have someone who believes their truth is your truth. 

 

I'm not worried about being looked at, people judge where they want, that's a reflection on them,, not me.

 

I'm worried about being forced into a hazardous situation just because you can't physically see my disabilities

 

Thank you for your reply ????

[Wanderwoman]

1 minute ago, Trujillo said:

Pull the mask down below your nose. 
Even though the nose is where you swab to test for the horrid, deadly and frightening virus, people here don't realize that not covering the nose is the same as not wearing a mask at all. (Although according to observable data, not wearing a mask is just as effective as wearing one, any one, even the non-PM2.5 paper ones. But there is a mandate here, so welcome to the occupation.)

Bob's your uncle. You're welcome. 

Hello,

Thank you for you reply. 

 

Absolutely agree, if you're going (or able) to wear a mask, wear it correctly. Having had covid myself brought into my home by someone else, I do understand everything. 

 

I did wear a mask in the start, unfortunately, as stated, I was told not too. 

 

Also unfortunately, seems some places are behind on inclusion and understanding what exempt or hidden disability actually means. 

 

What I'm seeing is its hit or miss. 

 

These replies have all helps. So thank you. 

[HeijoshinCool]

.

 

I never cover my nose with the mask. Never been denied entry or service, not on the BTS, not in a taxi, not at Emporium, not at Villa Market, etc.,, not at Bumrungrad hospital.

 

Not once.

 

For good measure, I often carry a cup of coffee or other drink.

 

Lastly, I don't buy masks.... Had a local seamstress make some by creating tank tops from 100% cotton T-shirts. So they do not have a rigid strip that can be bent to form to the nose, meaning they allow for a large gap, so mouth breathing is also possible.

Edited November 5, 2021 by onthedarkside
unsourced misinformation removed

[Wanderwoman]

2 minutes ago, HeijoshinCool said:

.

 

I never cover my nose with the mask. Never been denied entry or service, not on the BTS, not in a taxi, not at Emporium, not at Villa Market, etc.,, not at Bumrungrad hospital.

 

Not once.

 

For good measure, I often carry a cup of coffee or other drink.

 

Lastly, I don't buy masks, especially the blue ones as they contain hazardous materials. Had a local seamstress make some by creating tank tops from 100% cotton T-shirts. So they do not have a rigid strip that can be bent to form to the nose, meaning they allow for a large gap, so mouth breathing is also possible.

Thank you for your reply, this is reassuring, it's very difficult times for all, making an informed decision is key. Thank you again! 

[robblok]

Just now, Wanderwoman said:

Thank you for your reply, this is reassuring, it's very difficult times for all, making an informed decision is key. Thank you again! 

Just be prepared for not so nice reactions from people. A doctors letter is one thing but many won't care. For them there is just one rule and if you break it they will make your life hard. Just so you know that you might get in trouble and get called out. Not a fun thing at all. 

[kiteman9]

Always carry around a cup with a straw in it, and pretend you are drinking.

[Wanderwoman]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

Just be prepared for not so nice reactions from people. A doctors letter is one thing but many won't care. For them there is just one rule and if you break it they will make your life hard. Just so you know that you might get in trouble and get called out. Not a fun thing at all. 

I've waited 15 years to get to Thailand, so I'm not giving up.

 

Its devastating to know you're going to be penalised for your genetics. Also, it isn't all about me.

It's a real shame. All of it. Stupid pandemic. 

[Wanderwoman]

Just now, kiteman9 said:

Always carry around a cup with a straw in it, and pretend you are drinking.

You're the second person to say This, seems like a good hack! I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm also not trying to be unwell

Thank you! Appriciate your help. 

[asiam110]

21 minutes ago, Wanderwoman said:

You're the second person to say This, seems like a good hack! I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm also not trying to be unwell

Thank you! Appriciate your help. 

A phone to the head works too - nodding with hmmm every 10 seconds, hard work but subconsciously accepted somehow.. Can be off if worried about radiation.

[Jingthing]

You'll be denied entry to most places.

[jak2002003]

Let me get this right.....

 

Wearing a light, thin, loose fitting mask will be a serious danger to your life / health.........but you can travel, fly and walk around in public in a sub tropical, extremely hot and humid

county with some of the worst air pollution in the world?

 

And, if you do catch covid or even the common cold, from not wearing a mask, that will cause much more breathing problems for you and be more dangerous for you life than a thin mask.....also the potential to pass covid onto other people....

 

Don't you think it might be better to study for a year where you are now than to put your life and others at risk as you can't wear a mask?

 

 

 

Edited November 3, 2021 by jak2002003

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

Assuming OP is not Trolling here……. most surprised to see the mild sympathetic advice given here.

You’re coming over as a naive, safe- space snowflake millenial type. REALITY CHECK.

Nobody here is going to accomodate your “invisible disability”….whatever that may be…..

 

It will be simply impossible & unacceptable here to walk around in public,with anybody around, without a face mask. Exceptions: Beach or Forest or Seated or Toddler.

 

BUT the good news, as advised here, is that nobody,outside a clinic, will challenge HOW you wear the mask.

 

EXCEPT, the bad news, the ever - present patrolling Police just hoping to squeeze LARGE sums from non- mask wearers like YOU. They will be jumping for joy, thinking MONEY Time ! Early XMAS !

 

Nobody will care about any exemption letters.

Assume they will be regarded as forged, a joke, a pandemic mockery.

And nobody in public will go near you, even medical personnel.

 

You will be risking constant verbal abuse, potential physical assault, arrest and heavy fines.

 

Local people here are often terrified of covid & covid vax with many unvaccinated.

typically believing dirty westerners brought covid here. your proposed action would further fuel that.

[Wanderwoman]

19 minutes ago, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

Assuming OP is not Trolling here……. most surprised to see the mild sympathetic advice given here.

You’re coming over as a naive, safe- space snowflake millenial type. REALITY CHECK.

Nobody here is going to accomodate your “invisible disability”….whatever that may be…..

 

It will be simply impossible & unacceptable here to walk around in public,with anybody around, without a face mask. Exceptions: Beach or Forest or Seated or Toddler.

 

BUT the good news, as advised here, is that nobody,outside a clinic, will challenge HOW you wear the mask.

 

EXCEPT, the bad news, the ever - present patrolling Police just hoping to squeeze LARGE sums from non- mask wearers like YOU. They will be jumping for joy, thinking MONEY Time ! Early XMAS !

 

Nobody will care about any exemption letters.

Assume they will be regarded as forged, a joke, a pandemic mockery.

And nobody in public will go near you, even medical personnel.

 

You will be risking constant verbal abuse, potential physical assault, arrest and heavy fines.

 

Local people here are often terrified of covid & covid vax with many unvaccinated.

typically believing dirty westerners brought covid here. your proposed action would further fuel that.

Did your mum not love you enough?

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

Safe to say another suspected tedious Troll OP just exposed…….

[Jingthing]

Probably over 99 percent of people claiming medical reasons are faking it which of course hurts the small number of people with legitimate reasons. If you really have a problem I would not worry about letters in Thailand. Can't you tolerate a flimsy one layer cloth mask?

[FritsSikkink]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I think one of the best things you could do is consult with a  Doctor once you arrive in Thailand. 

 

What about consulting BEFORE you arrive in Thailand?

[KhunLA]

"How can I be conscious of the kingdoms rules without compromising my health?"

 

Depending where you'll be, you're probably going to have a major problem.  Vendors / malls that have facial temp / mask monitors won't even let you in, if turnstile is activated / opens after facial ID of mask being worn.

 

I've test this, covering mask w/hand, and they are amazing accurate, and gates won't open when I did that.

 

Forget riding the BTS / MRT if at Krung Thep, or any public trans.  

 

You'll be the scorn of the town ????  It really is going to be a hassle for you.  I won't even go to Krung Thep for a visit, as people are way too paranoid.

 

Good news, again, depending where you are, as I rarely wear a mask, and where I am, nobody cares.  A must when going to 7-11, Makro & HomePro (only places I bother) and wear improperly, nose not covered, as nobody cares.  But I'm in small town, surfside, which does get weekender tourists though.  I do keep my distance from folks though, for both our safety, more mine than theirs ???? 

Edited November 3, 2021 by KhunLA

[pomchop]

2 hours ago, Trujillo said:

Pull the mask down below your nose. 
Even though the nose is where you swab to test for the horrid, deadly and frightening virus, people here don't realize that not covering the nose is the same as not wearing a mask at all. (Although according to observable data, not wearing a mask is just as effective as wearing one, any one, even the non-PM2.5 paper ones. But there is a mandate here, so welcome to the occupation.)

Bob's your uncle. You're welcome. 

you want to share your "observable data" with us as that is contradictory to every bit of valid data I have seen...do you really think that no mask is same as masked?  Delusional or know more than scientists who study disease transmissions for decades.  How about be part of the solution and not part of the problem?

[LarrySR]

You're gonna be turned away at most businesses and probably even get yelled at on the streets.  

Find out where the anti science Fox viewers from America are hanging out and you'll be cool with them.

[scorecard]

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I think one of the best things you could do is consult with a  Doctor once you arrive in Thailand. 

 

Present your ‘overseas’ medical letters and ask the Doctor to write a similar exemption and stamp it from the local hospital - Some Dr’s may be happy to do this, others may not.

 

This ‘should’ at least give you something to carry around so that any establishments wishing to prevent you from entry or service can be given this letter. Also such a letter helps if the Police wish to stop you. 

 

Of course, this will not stop other sanctimonious mask police from calling you out, but any such hassle could easily be stopped with a ‘card’ in both Thai and English with the information that you are medically exempt. 

 

 

Other options - Wear a ‘mask with a big slit in it’.... (a fake mask).

 

Alternatively wear a ‘face shield’ - the whole purpose of masks is to act a barrier preventing the ‘expulsion of water vapour from your respiratory system’....   face shields do this.

 

That said - I read an article whereby some businesses in Thailand (Air Asia included) are banning the masks with ‘vents’ - this kind of contradicts the reasons masks are required - the barrier rather than the filter. 

You might get more support here and in the public if you have a letter from a highly respected Thai institution (not  a local unknown hospital/doctor and not from a nurse) and it includes the specific/detailed reason* why you claim to be exempt. 

 

• *I guess you're aware that many folks cannot see/understand that a mask is dangerous to a persons health. And I guess you're aware that many people expect everybody to have respect for others and contribute to limiting the spread of the virus.  

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

What about consulting BEFORE you arrive in Thailand?

And with a local highly respected medical institution AFTER you arrive. 

 

Don't expect that a letter written in the US or wherever in English will sway anybody here in Thailand. 

[sqwakvfr]

There is a reason why the acronym T.I.T.(This Is Thailand) and the saying Same, Same but Different” are so prevalent.  Thailand is a great country but is not so great in understanding or accommodating those with certain conditions or needs.  For instance Thailand is not so great if one is mobility challenged or has a mask exemption.  “Hope for the best but plan for the worst”.  Good luck.  

[jackdd]

If you can't wear a mask due to respiratory problems, wouldn't there be a high chance that you die if you catch Covid? So you shouldn't go outside anyway because you might catch Covid and die, don't need to wear a mask at home. But I also don't see a reason to come to Thailand just to stay at home all the time, why don't you just stay where you are?

Edited November 3, 2021 by jackdd

[FritsSikkink]

"How can I be conscious of the kingdoms rules without compromising my health? "

You can't, best to stay home. 

[Kwasaki]

8 hours ago, Wanderwoman said:

Did your mum not love you enough?

Well there's one example you have had before getting here. 

Depending where you will be in Thailand rules are slacking off a bit but you will find it better if you let your husband do most things. 

 

I think you could manage with a hole in the mask and just keep the mask seen around ears at least and under you nose. 

 

I have Asthma but not so bad these days and wear a mask to go in shops the flisly paper ones I  find better than the thick cotton ones. 

Best of luck with your studies. 

[Eff1n2ret]