Foreigners in Thailand warned about not wearing face masks

[snoop1130]

Tourists wear protective masks at the Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok, Thailand on Mar 16, 2020. (File photo: Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun)

 

Foreigners in Thailand who fail to wear a face mask when out in public face prosecution, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson Apisamai Srirangson warned on Monday.

 

According to Dr Apisamai many foreigners who have arrived in Thailand since its reopening have not been wearing face masks as required and have also been gathering in groups and at parties. 

 

Dr Apisamai said this behaviour had resulted in COVID-19 transmissions, without being more specific.

 

Dr Apisamai reiterated the rules regarding face masks in Thailand and said that people who fail to wear a face mask when out in public or at gatherings face possible fines of up to 20,000 baht. 

 

The rule also applies to visitors. 

 

The message regarding the requirements to wear face masks was also repeated at the end of Monday’s English language briefing from the CCSA.

 

 

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[ukrules]

This is what happens when you advertise a country as being 'open' again when really it's just a lie.

 

The law regarding mask wearing should be made very clear on the website where you apply for your visa or 'entry pass' / whatever they're calling it this week, make it a checkbox that they acknowledge they know it's the law, that it is enforced and that there are large fines.

 

[pattjock]

What about all the Thai people not wearing masks?

[richard_smith237]

 

While recently in the UK about 5-10% of people were wearing facemarks.. Life back to normal.

People still contracting covid, but vaccinated, not suffering serious symptoms, hospitals not being overwhelmed. 

 

 

Thailand advertises itself as open, it must be a surprise for the tourists to arrive and see a bunch of Thai’s in Hazmat suits !!! 

 

Realistically, wearing a mask is no biggie, its easy enough (when not exercising) I wore them in the UK recently when indoors at a shopping mall or supermarket), I’m happy to also wear a mask here, but I don’t when in my own car with my own family !!! (which is where some of the rules are just idiotic). 

 

 

BUT.... that does not detract from the utter hypocrisy and xenophobic tendencies in stories such as this.

- Everywhere I go, I see plenty of people not wearing masks. 

 

Go to a department store, a supermarket, a 7-11, everyone is wearing a mask. 

Walk down a street, not everyone is wearing a mask. 

 

I see Thai’s and foreigners not wearing masks... These headlines, these articles imply it is only foreigners who would be so offensive and behave so outrageously....   

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

Can anyone find the "law" which dictates the mask mandate and associated penalties?

 

The Communicable Disease Act (2558) was modified (June 2564) to mention masks, but seemed to tie that to provinces, and local determination. It says something like:  people should wear a face mask when leaving their home, the penalty for not wearing a mask can result in up to 20,000 Baht fine

 

AFAIK, the BMA has mandated masks.

 

AFAIK, there is no law or statute.

 

 

The regime should clarify this matter, and publicize it for everyone, including citizens, migrant workers and tourists.

 

I expect most tourists think that if there is a mask requirement it does not apply to them.

 

 

 

 

[Denim]

32 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Dr Apisamai said this behaviour had resulted in COVID-19 transmissions, without being more specific.

Hard to be more specific if you are making it up as you go along.

[StayinThailand2much]

12 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

BUT.... that does not detract from the utter hypocrisy and xenophobic tendencies in stories such as this.

Spot on! Imagine the UK (or any other) government explicitly 

warning foreigners to wear face masks, accusing them of spreading Covid-19!

 

Unbelievable in the 21st century? Not in Thailand...

[WEBBYB808]

Right!  Send the boys to the beach on beach road.  You'll make a fortune in fines.

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

This is what happens when you advertise a country as being 'open' again when really it's just a lie.

 

The law regarding mask wearing should be made very clear on the website where you apply for your visa or 'entry pass' / whatever they're calling it this week, make it a checkbox that they acknowledge they know it's the law, that it is enforced and that there are large fines.

 

Thainessspeak. 

Twisted.

[JustAnotherHun]

As he did at the start of the pandemia, khun Anutin again should hand out masks at the airport to dirty farang.

[connda]

Here we go again.  Bad Farangs!!!

What about the Thai tourist in the background.  You know, the maskless Thai behind the masked farang woman. 

Hey!  Thailand.  Where do I submit all the pictures I have of maskless Thais in public???

[internationalism]

another way of scamming tourists.

Back to the good old days grabbing every opportunity to make tourists feel unwelcome.

 

as to mentioned masks at parties - usually partying is drinking, eating. Little hard to keep mask on

[Thailand]

5 minutes ago, connda said:

Here we go again.  Bad Farangs!!!

What about the Thai tourist in the background.  You know, the maskless Thai behind the masked farang woman. 

Hey!  Thailand.  Where do I submit all the pictures I have of maskless Thais in public???

Picture is from March 2020

[connda]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

According to Dr Apisamai many foreigners who have arrived in Thailand since its reopening have not been wearing face masks as required and have also been gathering in groups and at parties. 

"Tourist bad.  Bad tourist come to Thailand, not follow rules. Rules says: No Fun.   Bad tourist go home."  ????

Excellent.  We're in agreement.  I think tourists should steer clear of Thailand too.  They are all 'bad tourists' who want to have "Fun."  Best to go somewhere where you can take off your mask, and sit around with friends over some beer and wine.  Heck - maybe even dance!

[RafPinto]

What did I write here many times?

 

As soon they open the country and if the covid numbers go up again, the farang brought it to Thailand.

 

2 vaccines before travelling, a negative test before travelling, a test, once you arrive in Thailand but they still accuse us of transmitting the virus.

Horrible.

 

Make it compulsory for all thais, returning back to Thailand to have 2 vaccines and test negative before travelling.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, RafPinto said:

Make it compulsory for all thais, returning back to Thailand to have 2 vaccines and test negative before travelling.

It is... 

 

OR, like everyone else they have to quarantine for 10 days. 

 

One difference, Thai’s undergoing quarantine and entering the ASQ system are not required to take a PCR test before travel.

 

While this difference is wrong, there is a realistic facet in that the vast majority of returning Thai’s are fully vaccinated (because they were vaccinated in the countries they are coming from). 

 

 

Thus: the point of this thread is not about returning Thai’s or arriving (returning) foreigners as the standards are fairly similar... The point of this thread, or rather, the issue many are having with the point of this article is the misrepresentation and deliberate tarnishing by a minority of public figures and perhaps more so the manner in which the media which is targeted at foreigners picks up on a deliberated inflammatory article to re-publish and generate further attention. 

 

 

 

[Blumpie]

There aren't really tourists in Thailand, these are just long term people coming home per se. 

 

Would a western country write something in an article like this about tourists?  Probably not.  

[koratkarlos]

I am farang and yes I wear a mask, even when bicycling in the countryside.  I certainly do not need this mask in remote areas but I wear the mask.  Why?  Because of the dirty looks I get when as a farang I do not have a mask on.  It is easier to just wear one.  You know, all farangs have COVID.  That is what the locals asked me a few days ago at the market.  Do you have COVID?   Perhaps there is a lack of education and understanding.

[overherebc]

3 minutes ago, koratkarlos said:

I am farang and yes I wear a mask, even when bicycling in the countryside.  I certainly do not need this mask in remote areas but I wear the mask.  Why?  Because of the dirty looks I get when as a farang I do not have a mask on.  It is easier to just wear one.  You know, all farangs have COVID.  That is what the locals asked me a few days ago at the market.  Do you have COVID?   Perhaps there is a lack of education and understanding.

Perhaps??

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, connda said:

Here we go again.  Bad Farangs!!!

What about the Thai tourist in the background.  You know, the maskless Thai behind the masked farang woman. 



 

How do you know she is Thai?

[Lingba]

3 hours ago, pattjock said:

What about all the Thai people not wearing masks?

That doesn't count..they know most tourists may be forgetful on this so its a quick way to gouge more money from them

[ikke1959]

Good for tourism.. Come to Thailand on holiday ... but risk a fine of 20.000 THB if you don't wear a mask, 

Look at the locals how many don't wear it or have lowered their guard, but you will be accused that you will bring the Covid back to the THais.... 

Thailand with the best vaccines is almost Covid free....But you...............vaccinated foreigners.....

[freedomnow]

Yes, because wearing masks outside is not necessary with no data to back its use up.

 

But bah, lets make it a rule anyway...just bcoz.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, koratkarlos said:

I am farang and yes I wear a mask, even when bicycling in the countryside.  I certainly do not need this mask in remote areas but I wear the mask.  Why?  Because of the dirty looks I get when as a farang I do not have a mask on.  It is easier to just wear one.  You know, all farangs have COVID.  That is what the locals asked me a few days ago at the market.  Do you have COVID?   Perhaps there is a lack of education and understanding.

 

Thai’s do tend to ask silly, clumsy and outright silly questions - its not because they are being judgemental, its just because in many cases they do not think before asking... its often harmless and quite amusing, especially when handled well...

 

IF a person (*Thai or otherwise) was silly enough to ask me if I have covid... I’d answer something like, yes, but only in the mornings !!!! 

 

Just like when all the aunties asked when we are going to have children (when my Wife and I got married), my Answer was usually something along the lines of 9am next Saturday. 

 

 

-----

 

Mask wearing indoors in public is fine...  be curious, walk to your table in a restaurant then take off the mask after being seated (put mask in pocket, not on the table).

Mask wearing in a busy outdoor market, 7-11, supermarket etc.. of course - thats common sense.

Mask wearing when riding a bicycle - no, not when exercising or outdoors in a quiet area (and definitely not when doing hard exercise). 

 

Theres an intelligent balance and while some people do not possess the common sense to apply an intelligent balance, most people do and are not judgemental to those exercising discretion and common sense. 

 

i.e. I do not wear a mask in my car with my Wife and Son... thats just silly - its one those regulations which is just too silly to be concerned with.

I do not wear a mask on my motorcycle when wearing a full face helmet.

I wear a mask on my motorcycle when wearing an open face helmet, but have it pulled down to my chin, so that my breath doest fog up the visor - its there just incase some BiB decides he’s going to chance things at the traffic lights. 

 

 

[EricTh]

I do see a lot of new farang faces coming to Chiang Mai this month. Most of them don't want to wear masks.

 

The problem is that the Thai police are nowhere to be found. The fine was already set a few months back.

[EricTh]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Good for tourism.. Come to Thailand on holiday ... but risk a fine of 20.000 THB if you don't wear a mask, 

Look at the locals how many don't wear it or have lowered their guard, but you will be accused that you will bring the Covid back to the THais.... 

Thailand with the best vaccines is almost Covid free....But you...............vaccinated foreigners.....

 

Most Thai that I see on the streets do wear masks.  It's mostly the farang who don't like to wear masks.

 

There is a similar case in Malaysia who got fined for refusing to wear mask. She even called Malaysia a 'communist' country for mandating mask wearing.

 

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/01/maskless-karen-fined

[CartagenaWarlock]

6 hours ago, pattjock said:

What about all the Thai people not wearing masks?

There are murderers and thieves in Thailand but it does not give a pass to everybody to murder and steal.

[redwood1]

2 hours ago, EricTh said:

 

Most Thai that I see on the streets do wear masks.  It's mostly the farang who don't like to wear masks.

 

There is a similar case in Malaysia who got fined for refusing to wear mask. She even called Malaysia a 'communist' country for mandating mask wearing.

 

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/01/maskless-karen-fined

Masks do nothing, thankfully many Thais and farang are realizing this and taking the proper course of action or is that in-action....

[Albert Zweistein]

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

How do you know she is Thai?

The lady is Spanish.

[Aforek]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

Masks do nothing, thankfully many Thais and farang are realizing this and taking the proper course of action or is that in-action....

I wear mask outside, market etc and I am not sick : why ? 

here, 99.99 % people ( Thai, I am the only farang ) wear a mask

in Europe, few people wear a mask : you know the result 

of course, mask, vaccination and social distancing are the key