Thai Public Health Ministry backtracks on its proposal to remove mandatory facial masks, says was a misunderstanding

[webfact]

PHOTO: Thairath

 

By Nop Meechukhun

 

Bangkok – The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health denied the Ministry had proposed to cancel mandatory wearing of facial masks in parks and concerts as reported across Thai media Wednesday, March 16th, calling it a “misunderstanding.”

 

Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattipoom Wongrachit clarified today, March 17th, following the news stating that the Ministry of Public Health would propose a plan to remove wearing facial masks to the Center of the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday that it was a misunderstanding. He said that he did not say such a proposal during a press conference yesterday.

 

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According to his statement, he only stated that the Ministry would only introduce the four-month timeframe of shifting the Covid-19 pandemic to an endemic disease and plans to prevent and control the disease among the risk groups, especially the ‘608’ groups (the elders, patients with severe health conditions, and pregnant women).

 

Regarding the issue of removing facial masks, Dr. Kiattipoom continued that if the endemic plan was approved and properly implemented, other measures may be relaxed in the future which may possibly include the mandatory facial masks in some areas such as public areas like parks and outside. 

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/17/thai-public-health-ministry-backtracks-on-its-proposal-to-remove-mandatory-facial-masks-says-was-a-misunderstanding/

 

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[redwood1]

Want to wear a pointless mask? Wear it.....

Dont want to wear a mask? Dont wear one.......

No one really cares anymore.........You don't need to be given the ok from anyone, to wear one or not..

 

 

Edited March 17, 2022 by redwood1

[ikke1959]

A misunderstanding...Maybe first think and than talk is much better instead if talking as a headless chicken and than reply with " it is a misunderstanding".. It only shows the incompetence of the Government and the people who work for it

[Skeptic7]

In oh so very Typically Thailand fashion, speaking out of both side of mouth. Flip-flopping. Backtracking. Saying one thing today and something different tomorrow. One hand not knowing what the other is doing. Standard operating procedure. All normal here...<deleted>! 

Edited March 18, 2022 by metisdead
Profane acronym removed.

[Dukeleto]

That’s a surprise from the Ministry of Misunderstandings. It’s like living in a Harry Potter movie!

[ehs818]

I never count on anything that any government official says here. There are two many changes, cancellations, revisions, and the like just days later. I read reputable sites online and continue to wear a good mask (N95 or N95) when around ANY people. I act in a manner I refer to as socially considerate. Can't be too safe with Covid. It's not going away, it continues to mutate, and I don't want to be responsible for passing it along thru others to some older person who just dies from it. If wearing a mask is so unbearable for you, try having an intubation tube down your throat while hospitalized. Man up and just do the responsible thing! Either way, when I am walking in a mall or at Big C and see improperly masked (nose not covered) people walking towards me, I move as far away from them as I can. And I give them 'the look'. They mostly are other farangs doing this. But I've stopped trying to reason with them thru conversation. You can't cure stupid and they get so defensive and aggressive that I'd rather not engage with willfully ignorant and inconsiderate people.

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

calling it a “misunderstanding.”

Oh look, another one...

 

Edited March 17, 2022 by klauskunkel

[sirineou]

Personally I believe that a targeted removal of face mask should be applied first.

Initial only only attractive people should be allowed to remove their face masks in public . Face mask wearing by ugly people should IMO be made permanent. 

Edited March 17, 2022 by sirineou

[nikmar]

10 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Oh look, another one...

 

I ve turned it into a drinking game. 

 

A bottle of vodka and the thai news. Everytime you read " misunderstanding" , "brake failure" , or :defamation" you gotta take a shot.

 

My skin has turned yellow!!

[vandeventer]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

A misunderstanding...Maybe first think and than talk is much better instead if talking as a headless chicken and than reply with " it is a misunderstanding".. It only shows the incompetence of the Government and the people who work for it

It's ok with me because I still haven't found a Park yet!!!

[Jimbo53]

20 minutes ago, ehs818 said:

I never count on anything that any government official says here. There are two many changes, cancellations, revisions, and the like just days later. I read reputable sites online and continue to wear a good mask (N95 or N95) when around ANY people. I act in a manner I refer to as socially considerate. Can't be too safe with Covid. It's not going away, it continues to mutate, and I don't want to be responsible for passing it along thru others to some older person who just dies from it. If wearing a mask is so unbearable for you, try having an intubation tube down your throat while hospitalized. Man up and just do the responsible thing! Either way, when I am walking in a mall or at Big C and see improperly masked (nose not covered) people walking towards me, I move as far away from them as I can. And I give them 'the look'. They mostly are other farangs doing this. But I've stopped trying to reason with them thru conversation. You can't cure stupid and they get so defensive and aggressive that I'd rather not engage with willfully ignorant and inconsiderate people.

I am glad you have stopped trying to reason with them i know what i would tell you if started talking to me.

Just wear your own mask,and keep your mouth shut,you will live longer!

[Wiggy]

17 minutes ago, ehs818 said:

continue to wear a good mask (N95 or N95) when around ANY people.

Beware of those with a valve as you may not be protecting others. 

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/n95-kf94-which-mask-is-best-protecting-against-covid-19-2022-01-18/
 

From the above article:

 

“Masks with an exhaust valve do not prevent the spread of the virus to other people.”

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Want to wear a pointless mask?

PM2.5 is still out there... 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

calling it a “misunderstanding.”

[Sydebolle]

Ah, Somchai the mask-dealer just called and informed, that he still sits on 300 trillion face masks which have to be sold first - next please! 

[LatPhrao]

Good news!  Keep the masks on and do your best to limit infections.

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Want to wear a pointless mask? Wear it.....

Dont want to wear a mask? Dont wear one.......

No one really cares anymore.........You don't need to be given the ok from anyone, to wear one or not..

 

 

Still banging on eh! 

Thailand, if you have a rule requiring masks to be worn, go out and prosecute the scofflaw, disrespectful tourists and foreigners, who refuse. They can 'not wear their pointless masks' back in their own countries. 

[henry213]

20 minutes ago, Jimbo53 said:

I am glad you have stopped trying to reason with them i know what i would tell you if started talking to me.

Just wear your own mask,and keep your mouth shut,you will live longer!

Lol Love it! He would have a nose to rest the mask on if telling me what to do,  Most of the time i don't wear a mask, I see the fools here wearing masks in cars or on a motorbike but no helmet,  Mental.........

[jacko45k]

Just now, henry213 said:

Lol Love it! He would have a nose to rest the mask on if telling me what to do,  Most of the time i don't wear a mask, I see the fools here wearing masks in cars or on a motorbike but no helmet,  Mental.........

You should mind your own business. If people choose to wear masks, what is it to you?  Some desire to control other people simply because they choose to do differently?

[BKKBike09]

50 minutes ago, ehs818 said:

I've stopped trying to reason with them thru conversation. You can't cure stupid and they get so defensive and aggressive that I'd rather not engage with willfully ignorant and inconsiderate people.

For some, that also applies to how they feel about the obsessive outdoor maskers ... although I'll grant you one can't say it's "inconsiderate" to wear a mask outdoors. Except when it's parents forcing their infant children to do it. 

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

Except when it's parents forcing their infant children to do it. 

I have come across quite a few Thai kids who have taken to mask wearing needs quite well. Surprising really.... most falang adults stamp their feet and have tantrums. 

[ThailandRyan]

Is this truly a backtrack or did the media in their infinite wisdom and seeking of sensationalist stories rush to print something which may or may not have been out of context.  Until I see the media being charged with defamation for the story or writing a corrected retraction piece I will continue to think that the minister who said this misspoke as he did not truly know the issues, just like Anutin saying it is not a law or regulation to wear them, yet it was placed as a law/regulation in the Royal Gazette.

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I have come across quite a few Thai kids who have taken to mask wearing needs quite well. Surprising really.... most falang adults stamp their feet and have tantrums. 

And those that stomp their feet and have tantrums use terms such as Virtue signaling for those of us who wear them.  You can not please all of the people all of the time, you cant please some of the people most of the time, in fact you can not please ignorant selfish people anytime.

[mtls2005]

From ~ 6 weeks ago...

 

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.

 

Concerning warnings from the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) that people might be fined for not wearing a face mask, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the Ministry of Public Health and related agencies have not reported this and the matter is still under consideration.

 

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

[mikebell]

56 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Oh look, another one...

 

I understand when silly farangs fail to understand dual price menus, but how do so many misunderstandings take place in Thai?

[KCPhuket]

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Want to wear a pointless mask? Wear it.....

Dont want to wear a mask? Dont wear one.......

No one really cares anymore.........You don't need to be given the ok from anyone, to wear one or not..

 

 

While back Anutin said no legal requirement for mask. So, yeah!

[KCPhuket]

Thailand was behind on vaccine purchase they still are and good vaccine still not enough masking maybe in a crowd otherwise time to move on.

[CygnusX1]

28 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Thailand, if you have a rule requiring masks to be worn, go out and prosecute the scofflaw, disrespectful tourists and foreigners, who refuse.

 

24 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

You should mind your own business. If people choose to wear masks, what is it to you?  Some desire to control other people simply because they choose to do differently?

Two totally self-contradictory posts made within 5 minutes of each other.

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

 

Two totally self-contradictory posts made within 5 minutes of each other.

Not really, up to authorized authorities to do that job, not some nosey interfering tourist,

[Darkside Gray]

Smoke and mirrors and misunderstandings!