Plans underway for no-mask requirement in Thailand’s public parks

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is aiming for public parks to be the first venues in which people will not be required to wear face masks, which is in line with their plan to designate COVID-19 as an endemic disease within four months, according to its Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit

 

Dr. Kiattibhoom explained, however, that those infected with COVID-19 would still have to wear facemasks. Restrictions on group activities, such as football matches and concerts, may be relaxed, but necessary preventive measures are still needed to prevent new COVID-19 clusters from breaking out.

 

A Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting will be held tomorrow (Friday), at which the ministry will propose a plan to discuss the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/plans-underway-for-no-mask-requirement-in-thailands-public-parks/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-17

 

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[KhunBENQ]

Stop this silly wearing mask when riding a motorbike! (except you want to protect yourself from the tremendous amount of Diesel and other particulates).

 

Stop this unsettling mask wearing of TV presenters! Just again yesterday I saw this Ch3 news "anchor" sitting alone with his mouthpiece. This is NOT a chemical weapons attack!

Give back the smile of the lovely women presenters!

Edited March 17, 2022 by KhunBENQ

[ThailandRyan]

If what they are proposing then why not do away with it for all locations outside.  I understand wearing them on buses, inside stores but in the outside air walking on a sidewalk is no different then being in the park.

[ikke1959]

Should not first everything be a bit normal again?? Why in football matches and concerts  no mask?  I think just start with open normally for restaurants and normal alcohol sales, no masks in your car or motorcycle, no more 1,5 m distance if you wear a mask and many other things. Indeed even on TV when there is only 1 person he/she wears a mask.. Ridiculous.. Start with masks first and cancel all restrictions. Than strip the mask, except for public transport and big events/funerals/weddings and than get rid of it everywhere.. 

[mtls2005]

Six weeks ago...admittedly a mixed-message.

 

MOPH Confirms No Legal Obligations For People To Wear Face Masks

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Public Health Minister confirmed that there are no laws forcing people to wear face masks, but he also sought cooperation from all parties, including Thai citizens and overseas tourists, in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220203155951127

 

 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Six weeks ago...admittedly a mixed-message.

 

MOPH Confirms No Legal Obligations For People To Wear Face Masks

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Public Health Minister confirmed that there are no laws forcing people to wear face masks, but he also sought cooperation from all parties, including Thai citizens and overseas tourists, in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220203155951127

 

 

 

 

So the bigger question is "did they do away with the fines for non mask wearing"?

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Should not first everything be a bit normal again?? Why in football matches and concerts  no mask?  I think just start with open normally for restaurants and normal alcohol sales, no masks in your car or motorcycle, no more 1,5 m distance if you wear a mask and many other things. Indeed even on TV when there is only 1 person he/she wears a mask.. Ridiculous.. Start with masks first and cancel all restrictions. Than strip the mask, except for public transport and big events/funerals/weddings and than get rid of it everywhere.. 

Why the ‘baby steps’ mentality ???.....       this idea that we need to ‘start with something’ (masks) first and then move on to cancelling other restrictions achieves what exactly ?.... its a juvenile approach of ‘hedging our bets’... 

 

Its clearly time to remove all restrictions, even mask wearing. 

But continue to highlight that wearing masks on public transport is the socially responsible thing to do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

So the bigger question is "did they do away with the fines for non mask wearing"?

Typical of Thailand a ‘grey area’ remains....   contradictory announcements continue, much like the contradictory announcements regarding the necessity for foreigners to carry their passports.... 

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

Why the ‘baby steps’ mentality ???.....       this idea that we need to ‘start with something’ (masks) first and then move on to cancelling other restrictions achieves what exactly ?.... its a juvenile approach of ‘hedging our bets’... 

 

Its clearly time to remove all restrictions, even mask wearing. 

But continue to highlight that wearing masks on public transport is the socially responsible thing to do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now there are alot of infections and the deathtoll is rising... So why now hurry and drop everything?? start with normal life with a mask and in the coming  months less masks everywhere and everyone is happy.. But there will always people who want to hurry things, but as you said yourself babysteps. as a baby you could not walk and run after the first day you could stand on your legs...

[alyx]

50 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

If what they are proposing then why not do away with it for all locations outside.  I understand wearing them on buses, inside stores but in the outside air walking on a sidewalk is no different then being in the park.

It is my understanding that wearing the mask is not compulsory outside unless, of course, some Governor has decided otherwise.

I jog every day (not in the parks) maskless , and never been stopped, since I read that it had never been a law or regulation to wear them

[alyx]

5 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Now there are alot of infections and the deathtoll is rising... So why now hurry and drop everything?? start with normal life with a mask and in the coming  months less masks everywhere and everyone is happy.. But there will always people who want to hurry things, but as you said yourself babysteps. as a baby you could not walk and run after the first day you could stand on your legs...

Well, they might be wrong, but European countries have stopped this wearing mask nonsense outside (and inside apart from hospital and transport) as well as dropping all requirements for vaccinated travellers. Some countries have even lifted all requirements vaccinated or not

[userabcd]

If they visit the parks they will see that many are already not wearing masks.

[Henryford]

I am still looking for a public park in Pattaya

[internationalism]

first should be dropped for all sportsmen (not mentioning on motorbikes, where it's outright dangerous and deadly).

I am all for wearing masks in public places. A lot of people do have acute and chronic upper respiratory infections - drinking iced fluids, putting air con at max setting, smoking and living a highly polluted areas, using chilli and other sauces for frying, burning rubbish next to their homes to remove mosquito and the other insects.

 

They are infected with different pathogens, bacteria, viruses, fungus. Their ignore their symptoms and health service doesn't offer good solution

   

Edited March 17, 2022 by internationalism

[ThailandRyan]

48 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Now there are alot of infections and the deathtoll is rising... So why now hurry and drop everything?? start with normal life with a mask and in the coming  months less masks everywhere and everyone is happy.. But there will always people who want to hurry things, but as you said yourself babysteps. as a baby you could not walk and run after the first day you could stand on your legs...

Their worry apparently is that the tourism industry which does carry some weight in the country is just about dead.  I think that they believe that by doing this as well as eliminating the 72 hour prior to traveling PCR test that tourists will flock here.  They however forget that many countries still require a test or even quarantine prior to returning and on return.

[daveAustin]

Just lose the masks altogether outside if one so wishes. Let’s move on, yeah!

[ThailandRyan]

44 minutes ago, userabcd said:

If they visit the parks they will see that many are already not wearing masks.

You mean those running in the park.  I see most of the walkers at Lumpini and Benjakitti wearing masks and even some of the runners and joggers like myself and the GF. If your talking of people just sitting around then the Park Police are always telling them to mask up.

[ThailandRyan]

53 minutes ago, alyx said:

It is my understanding that wearing the mask is not compulsory outside unless, of course, some Governor has decided otherwise.

I jog every day (not in the parks) maskless , and never been stopped, since I read that it had never been a law or regulation to wear them

But yes there is a regulation requiring them

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-news-today-is-wearing-face-masks-in-thailand-mandatory

According to an order published in the Royal Gazette back in June 2021, face masks are required to be worn in public places. First-time violators face a fine of up to 1,000 baht and the fines can go up to 20,000 baht for repeat offenses. 

 

However, Anutin views it as not a law, however conflicting that may be.

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thailands-health-ministry-confirms-theres-no-legal-requirement-to-wear-a-face-mask

 

 

Legally, we can’t force you to do it, but just do it, okay? That seems to be the message from Thailand’s Public Health Minister in relation to the wearing of face masks. According to a report from the National News Bureau of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed there’s no legal mandate for the wearing of face masks…. at least that’s what he says. However, he says people should continue to wear them to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Anutin was responding to warnings from the CCSA that those who refuse to wear a mask could be fined. According to an order published in the Royal Gazette back in June 2021, face masks are required to be worn in public places. First-time violators face a fine of up to 1,000 baht and the fines can go up to 20,000 baht for repeat offences. The CCSA recently made a post on Facebook, reminding the public of the penalties, but has since removed the post.

 

This from a man who called a foreigner who refused a mask he offered him a Dirty Foreigner.

[alyx]

8 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

But yes there is a regulation requiring them

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-news-today-is-wearing-face-masks-in-thailand-mandatory

According to an order published in the Royal Gazette back in June 2021, face masks are required to be worn in public places. First-time violators face a fine of up to 1,000 baht and the fines can go up to 20,000 baht for repeat offenses. 

 

However, Anutin views it as not a law, however conflicting that may be.

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thailands-health-ministry-confirms-theres-no-legal-requirement-to-wear-a-face-mask

 

 

Legally, we can’t force you to do it, but just do it, okay? That seems to be the message from Thailand’s Public Health Minister in relation to the wearing of face masks. According to a report from the National News Bureau of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed there’s no legal mandate for the wearing of face masks…. at least that’s what he says. However, he says people should continue to wear them to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Anutin was responding to warnings from the CCSA that those who refuse to wear a mask could be fined. According to an order published in the Royal Gazette back in June 2021, face masks are required to be worn in public places. First-time violators face a fine of up to 1,000 baht and the fines can go up to 20,000 baht for repeat offences. The CCSA recently made a post on Facebook, reminding the public of the penalties, but has since removed the post.

 

This from a man who called a foreigner who refused a mask he offered him a Dirty Foreigner.

Hence I abide but the non enforcement:)

[userabcd]

25 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

You mean those running in the park.  I see most of the walkers at Lumpini and Benjakitti wearing masks and even some of the runners and joggers like myself and the GF. If your talking of people just sitting around then the Park Police are always telling them to mask up.

In benjasiri park many not wearing masks, walkers, runners/joggers, volley ball players, takraw players, exercise equip areas and skateboarders.

 

On sukhumvit in phrom phong area many foreigners walking not wearing masks and looking defiant as well probably from the stares they are receiving.

[ThailandRyan]

10 minutes ago, userabcd said:

In benjasiri park many not wearing masks, walkers, runners/joggers, volley ball players, takraw players, exercise equip areas and skateboarders.

 

On sukhumvit in phrom phong area many foreigners walking not wearing masks and looking defiant as well probably from the stares they are receiving.

I have noticed the foreigners around Sukhumvit not wearing masks but I have yet to see a Thai or migrant worker without one.  Some folks don't give a feces

[smutcakes]

I run in the parks most mornings and people generally dont wear their masks anyway when walking or running in the parks.

[zzaa09]

3 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Stop this silly wearing mask when riding a motorbike! (except you want to protect yourself from the tremendous amount of Diesel and other particulates).

 

Stop this unsettling mask wearing of TV presenters! Just again yesterday I saw this Ch3 news "anchor" sitting alone with his mouthpiece. This is NOT a chemical weapons attack!

Give back the smile of the lovely women presenters!

Thai authorities and society appear to be behind the eight ball as applying to particular and seemingly unnecessary mitigation engagement that really doesn't need to be practiced by way of these silly instances. 

[TheFishman1]

And while you’re at it get rid of the thai pass

[bkk75]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Should not first everything be a bit normal again?? Why in football matches and concerts  no mask?  I think just start with open normally for restaurants and normal alcohol sales, no masks in your car or motorcycle, no more 1,5 m distance if you wear a mask and many other things. Indeed even on TV when there is only 1 person he/she wears a mask.. Ridiculous.. Start with masks first and cancel all restrictions. Than strip the mask, except for public transport and big events/funerals/weddings and than get rid of it everywhere.. 

Actually I'm for permanent mask on public transit going forward. I had so many times people coughing on me precovid on trains.

[keithkarmann]

1 hour ago, Henryford said:

I am still looking for a public park in Pattaya

Not seen one in Thung Saliam

[zyphodb]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

So the bigger question is "did they do away with the fines for non mask wearing"?

Not if you're a Farang I should imagine...

 

[zzaa09]

8 minutes ago, keithkarmann said:

Not seen one in Thung Saliam

Rather voluntary throughout much of Sukhothai. 

Many of the indoor eateries are beginning to rescind their ridiculous vax proof/testing policies, as well. 

[10baht]

3 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Stop this silly wearing mask when riding a motorbike! (except you want to protect yourself from the tremendous amount of Diesel and other particulates).

Or from the burning and smoke, coming from our good buddies in China, in the north. What I do not understand is why so many do not where eye protection?

[blazes]

If foreign media begin to report that Thailand requires masks for OUTDOOR activities, it will be yet another nail in the tourist coffin....