We're planning a two month stay in Thailand over the European winter period. We understand the entry rules etc, but are unclear on mask wearing other than the official position is that masks have to be worn in all public places.

 

What's the situation in the hotels/accommodation?  Do you have to wear a mask when sat/lying by the pool? In the pool?

 

Are masks required on the beach? when swimming?

 

We understand the requirement to wear a mask at the market/in a shop/on the street etc.

 

Would appreciate information from those already on the ground in Thailand.

 

Many thanks!

8 minutes ago, sametdo said:

What's the situation in the hotels/accommodation?  Do you have to wear a mask when sat/lying by the pool? In the pool?

 

Are masks required on the beach? when swimming?

 

Technically yes,  maybe the "Gestapo" will catch you maybe they won't   most likely they would just tell you to put a mask on but it's possible there could be much worse consequences...just something to think about.

P.S lots almost all  pubs,bars,discos,clubs etc are closed and restaurants

(except in few special areas) cannot serve alcohol..also at music festivals  you are not allowed to dance (covid risk) ???? 

I speak of what I see and know

hotels, markets, streets etc : yes 

beach, swimming pools, i don't know 

Basically wear a mask at all times.

Inside your accommodation no, step out the door yes.

In a hotel room no, step out the door yes.

While eating a meal at the table no... finish eating  put it back on..

On the beach yes, actually swimming no.. but come out of the water and sit put it back on.

In public 100%

I think you get the idea.

 

Thankyou for being considerate, we are starting to see friction between newcomers from countries where masks are optional, this is ranging from getting dirty looks or verbal altercation in public, and wearing them incorrectly like under the nose you'll get told off by staff or other shoppers immediately even from the usually meek Thais

 

If you are walking out on the street alone and far from people, like exercising in the park it's fine to lower your mask, but be prepare to have one to put on when going near other people. But some parks seem to want to enforce mask wearing rule and some gyms are very cautiously watching their members, only allowing mask off to have a drink, and must be on during exercise which is silly

 

It'd be silly to ask people to have mask on while swimming, so at the pool side should be okay, if the hotel can serve drinks to the pool then it should count as restaurant, where people can sit with their mask off to eat.

 

While mask wearing indoors like malls and supermarket's pretty strict, if you walk to the floors where there's multiple restaurants or food court you'll see hundreds people without masks on sitting at their tables, but once you leave the area you're expected to put your masks back on. 

 

In market setting where you can buy street food type thing and eat while you walk around is a bit of a grey area, you should have your mask on, as there's other people walking around too, but to sneak a bite or drink what you bought, you have to lower your mask, then immediately put it back on. so unless you're sitting down to eat, don't remove your mask completely.  

On 11/25/2021 at 5:52 PM, sametdo said:

We're planning a two month stay in Thailand over the European winter period.

Who knows what the mask situation might be in the future?

 

Bring masks.

 

And then gauge the situation when you arrive.

 

Not overly complex.

 

Plenty of Youtube vloggers here and posting daily, just use the hashtag bangkok or thailand and look for yourself.

 

 

On 11/25/2021 at 5:52 PM, sametdo said:

Are masks required on the beach? when swimming?

If you must ask if masks are required when swimming then it is really best if you do not come to Thailand.  Stay at home is recommended.

3 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

If you must ask if masks are required when swimming then it is really best if you do not come to Thailand.  Stay at home is recommended.

Indeed , not a good time to be a tourist , could be very expensive if locked out of your home country with ever changing covid rules .

The rules in Thailand are very strict.  outside our home or hotel room wear a mask.

Obviously if you are swimming, eating or drinking then you can not wear a mask but as soon as you get out of the water or stop eating and drinking put the mask back on.

 

Masks in Thailand I think are going to be pretty well mandatory outside for quite awhile.

 

As to travel I would have said it would be easy but with the SA variant be careful they could close/restrict the border at any time.

On 11/25/2021 at 5:52 PM, sametdo said:

Are masks required on the beach? when swimming?

Please allow me to clear up a small point...................

Mask for swimming... Mask for Covid....... 

In laboratory test conditions, the mask for Covid was found to be less than satisfactory once wet.

Wear masks at all times unless in situations where it would be injurious to health.

In case wearing a mask is your only concern, you better don't come. There are more important things te be worried about. What is your problem to wear a mask???? I am living here for many years and always wear a mask when I go out, just as the Thai people do around here.

The mask sucks 

4 hours ago, schultzlivgthai said:

The mask sucks 

Perhaps you're wearing it the wrong way round.

Also a point to mention you can be fined up to 20,000 baht  for not wearing a mask in areas they are required. The high fines were  made to discourage foreigners from refusing to wear masks. 

In the pool, a mask is not required. Goggles are enough.

 

I visit the parks and jogging paths now and again and it see many that are actively exercising (jogging, aerobics, park exercise stations) either without a mask or having it pulled down to their chin and no one gets bent out of shape over it.  

Hey there.

Welcome to normal Thailand pandemic version.

Masks?

Just strap it on like the tomboys do.

You won't be sorry.

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2021/11/23/govt-threatens-to-fine-foreigners-who-dont-wear-facemask/

 

GOV’T THREATENS TO FINE FOREIGNERS WHO DON’T WEAR FACEMASK

In cities and on city beaches yes you must. Even in large towns like Hua Hin the law is almost 100 pct observed. I have no experience of other situations. 

 

The trick is to have some food or drink by you when you sit somewhere as masks are completely removed to eat or drink. French fries are still French fries, even when stone cold and 3 hours old... 

22 hours ago, schultzlivgthai said:

The mask sucks 

So does my missus but I do to put up with it.

If you are out of your house/condo/room you have to wear a mask, no exceptions, that's what the law says. Failure to do this can result in a 20k fine.

 

Technically illegal, but socially accepted situations in which people take off their mask:

Eating / drinking

Driving car / riding bike

Exercising / Being in the pool

Taking pictures

Many thanks for the replies. We've decided to postpone our trip for now.

On Koh Phangan 99% of the Thais wear a mask everywhere, but 50% of the foreigners completely ignore the rules. And the authorities do NOTHING about it. 

On 11/27/2021 at 3:23 PM, kingstonkid said:

The rules in Thailand are very strict.  outside our home or hotel room wear a mask.

Obviously if you are swimming, eating or drinking then you can not wear a mask but as soon as you get out of the water or stop eating and drinking put the mask back on.

 

Masks in Thailand I think are going to be pretty well mandatory outside for quite awhile.

 

As to travel I would have said it would be easy but with the SA variant be careful they could close/restrict the border at any time.

IMO with the governments of the west going full on about the new variant, one would be a bit silly to travel at the moment. Almost looking to get stuck abroad.

34 minutes ago, island coconut said:

On Koh Phangan 99% of the Thais wear a mask everywhere, but 50% of the foreigners completely ignore the rules. And the authorities do NOTHING about it. 

They know who is laying the golden eggs.

10 hours ago, sametdo said:

Many thanks for the replies. We've decided to postpone our trip for now.

IMO a wise decision.

In Pattaya I have found the least mask compliant nationality to be Russians. Not only that they're often aggressively snarky about it. 

Masks should be also mandatory while eating and drinking!

On 11/27/2021 at 9:31 AM, easydoor said:

In case wearing a mask is your only concern, you better don't come. There are more important things te be worried about. What is your problem to wear a mask???? I am living here for many years and always wear a mask when I go out, just as the Thai people do around here.

Well, speak for yourself ( no offence meant) I cannot stand the mask and I take it off as soon as I can. I have difficulties breathing and I have stopped jogging since the mask is an obligation. So only swimming, until it is, ridiculously, forbidden once more.  and exercising at home. I am thinking about having a special mask made of silk but I am not sure about the quality of such a "protection"

 

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO with the governments of the west going full on about the new variant, one would be a bit silly to travel at the moment. Almost looking to get stuck abroad.

Agreed but we know that there are people that will do it and then cry and throw temper tantrum about how unfair life is when they are not allowed back home.

 

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