Analysis: Thai Public Health Ministry doubling down on public mask mandates, say looking for ways to enforce them better for tourists

[webfact]

 

By Adam Judd

 

Bangkok, Thailand- As Thailand continues to open up and move towards treating Covid-19 as endemic, mask mandates seem unlikely to change despite regular complaints by many tourists from countries without outdoor and in many cases indoor mask mandates.

 

First, as a reference, is the original statements by the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday, May 11th.

 

As stated briefly in the above article, at this point keeping mask mandates, even outdoors, seems to currently be part of the plan even after Covid19 is considered as endemic in Thailand.

 

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TPN notes there is often a lot of confusion due to mixed messages in the past about mask mandates. There is not a law to wear a mask, which is often quoted by people online, as this requires many steps and Parliament approval.

 

However, under the emergency decree in place for over two years now,

mask mandates fall under measures implemented currently in every province by communicable disease committees and fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Health.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/12/analysis-thai-public-health-ministry-doubling-down-on-public-mask-mandates-say-looking-for-ways-to-enforce-them-better-for-tourists/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-12

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Many are giving the masks the old heave ho especially tourists. Not mandated in their countries or on planes for the most part.  Going to he a hard sell and now if enforced will be another death knell for tourism...

[JonnyF]

Hopefully this is made 100% clear to all potential tourists.

 

The famous Ad campaigns from the TAT should all feature tourists fully masked as they ride elephants, walk along deserted beaches, ride in TukTuks, sit by the pool, visit temples etc. just so it is 100% clear that your holiday will be spent wearing a sweaty face nappy.

 

There could also be a section where a tourist is arrested for Vaping, just for the sake of clarity. 

 

 

[SunnyinBangrak]

I haven't worn one since that article a couple of months back that said it was not actually breaking any laws. Only put it on to enter a shop. Makes a huge difference to quality of life. 

[Thailand]

Agree, tourists should be made aware that masks must be worn at time of booking and the Thai government should inform embassies that this is a requirement for their citizens and highlight it on their websites as of course all Thai tourism related websites will do.

Then I woke up!

[mtls2005]

These situations always play out the same

 

Vague rules, not communicated to tourists

"Authorities" randomly enforce the rules

"Authorities" shake tourists down for "fee"

Vlogger makes video of "authorities" shake-down

Maybe a shake down escalates to violence

Tourist is arrested

Authorities are talked down

Much wai-ing at a presser

"It won't happen again"

 

Rinse repeat,

 

The circle of life in thailand.

 

See the rent a cops at the BTS multiple times per day interacting with mask-challenged tourists. They've been trained well, so no skirmishes witnessed, although the odd tourists does push back, usually animatedl by waiving their armas and hands about like a helicopter.

 

 

[jaideedave]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Hopefully this is made 100% clear to all potential tourists.

 

The famous Ad campaigns from the TAT should all feature tourists fully masked as they ride elephants, walk along deserted beaches, ride in TukTuks, sit by the pool, visit temples etc. just so it is 100% clear that your holiday will be spent wearing a sweaty face nappy.

 

There could also be a section where a tourist is arrested for Vaping, just for the sake of clarity. 

 

 

 

 

 

Get rid of those stupid face diapers for good. Inside a shop maybe but now its just bullying and not necessary. My own Thai family are wearing them inside our car when we venture out. I try to reason with them how silly they look but the "sheep" do it anyway?

[ThailandRyan]

21 minutes ago, jaideedave said:

Get rid of those stupid face diapers for good. Inside a shop maybe but now its just bullying and not necessary. My own Thai family are wearing them inside our car when we venture out. I try to reason with them how silly they look but the "sheep" do it anyway?

Derogatory term using the word Sheep to describe those that still wear a mask, believe what you want as far as the masks go, but please stop with the conspiracy rhetoric terms...

[mania]

Meanwhile in the rest of the world we are enjoying ourselves without mask/fear/rhetoric

Even Italy who may have been the hardest hit initially is currently hosting the Giro ...no masks thanks ????

[jacko45k]

5 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Many are giving the masks the old heave ho especially tourists. Not mandated in their countries or on planes for the most part.  Going to he a hard sell and now if enforced will be another death knell for tourism...

The article does not make sense does it?

We are in a climate of falling  Covid numbers and easing of restrictions.....hardly time to be waving a big stick at tourists.

[ThailandRyan]

4 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

The article does not make sense does it?

We are in a climate of falling  Covid numbers and easing of restrictions.....hardly time to be waving a big stick at tourists.

Exactly.  Even though we still wear ours, and after having been vaccinated and boosted and then having Covid we do relax and take them off when in the parks or out at the beach.

[smedly]

more wood

[topt]

2 hours ago, jaideedave said:

My own Thai family are wearing them inside our car when we venture out. I try to reason with them how silly they look but the "sheep" do it anyway?

Actually under the current "guidance" that is what you are supposed to do.

Doesn't matter if you live with someone if you are both in a car together you are supposed to wear a mask. 

 

Yes it does not make sense but you are actually "wrong" and your family are abiding by the current gudelines/regulations.

[LivingNThailand]

I don't mind wearing a mask in the stores or shopping center.   I'm not there very long or often.   But I do mind, and this is going to sound controversial to some of the anti-maskers, I do mind if I have to wear a mask then the tourists should wear a mask.  And over their mouth and nose, not around their chin.  We've had to wear them for over 2 years now and I don't think it's going to go away for a while.  Maybe not until the end of the year.  So the tourists should respect it, like any local custom.   However, the government needs to educate the tourists about this rule.  I'm not exactly sure how, but they can start with the actual booking process with the airlines and hotels and then give out leaflets at immigration or something when they arrive.  And have the hotels give out information.   If they want the tourists to wear masks then they need to get the word out better.   I'm not saying I like it, and this rule will definitely have to go away some day or for sure tourists will not come back in any numbers.

[jak2002003]

Seems like we will all have to wear masks here for ever.  Also the emergency decree will be here forever.....

 

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

First they say it is moving toward being endemic, then they say mask wearing is indefinite. It is a completely different thing, to be wearing a mask to fight pollution, than it is because big brother is telling us we have to, and the populace is looking at you like a spreader of Bubonic plague when you do not, due to a total denial of science and 2 years of panic mongering. Cloth masks barely work. And using a mask outdoors, and on a motorcycle is beyond ignorant. It is positively sickening. 

 

Many countries around the world, where there governments are NOT employing covid as a means to scare the public into submission are doing away with masks. 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

As stated briefly in the above article, at this point keeping mask mandates, even outdoors, seems to currently be part of the plan even after Covid19 is considered as endemic in Thailand.

Good, should decrease the respiratory ailments that thousands of Thais die from silently each year.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, jaideedave said:

Get rid of those stupid face diapers for good. Inside a shop maybe but now its just bullying and not necessary. My own Thai family are wearing them inside our car when we venture out. I try to reason with them how silly they look but the "sheep" do it anyway?

So you're not worried about PM2.5 and filing your lungs with pollution?

[Moonlover]

8 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I haven't worn one since that article a couple of months back that said it was not actually breaking any laws. Only put it on to enter a shop. Makes a huge difference to quality of life. 

I've been stubbornly anti mask all along and refuse to wear one except in shops, malls and anywhere that people are closely congregated. Fortunately I live in the country so this stupid ruling has had very little impact on my life anyway.

[mrfill]

Why not just make it mandatory to wear a crash helmet at all times? Reduces transmission of diseases and protects in the case of an accident, all at the same time.

Reduce road and covid deaths at the same time !!!

 

[Burma Bill]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

at this point keeping mask mandates, even outdoors, seems to currently be part of the plan

Not across the border in Cambodia and for reference:

 

"...the PM stated “First, exempt the duty of wearing a mask throughout the country in public places and open places other than closed places, leaving the people to make their own decisions to wear a mask or not"

"....the requirement is still in place for closed spaces – i.e. an air-conditioned meeting room or a crowded movie theater"

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064074/historic-day-for-cambodia-as-pm-removes-mask-requirement-for-open-spaces/

 

Tourists visiting Cambodia can enjoy their holiday without the need to wear a face mask unless going to the cinema or attending a conference.

This also applies to those of you considering a visa run (land or air).

I no longer wear a mask but I carry one in my pocket just in case I am requested to do so.   

[swm59nj]

if a person wants to visit  or move to a country but doesn’t like the rules.  Then don’t visit  or move to that country .  But don’t visit or move to another country thinking you can just do just as you please.  
And so many people in the forums seemed to have moved to Thailand expressing dislike for their own  and other western countries.   But it appears they dislike and complain about living in Thailand also.  
 

[Burma Bill]

11 minutes ago, swm59nj said:

complain about living in Thailand also.  

Yes indeed, but it keeps the "bar stool" pundits with something to do!!

[Mavideol]

they better clear that fast as the foreigners/tourists I see around 99.9% of them NO mask.... but if they ask them to use the masks that will stop them from coming.... double edge knife

[Pmbkk]

48 minutes ago, swm59nj said:

if a person wants to visit  or move to a country but doesn’t like the rules.  Then don’t visit  or move to that country .  But don’t visit or move to another country thinking you can just do just as you please.  
And so many people in the forums seemed to have moved to Thailand expressing dislike for their own  and other western countries.   But it appears they dislike and complain about living in Thailand also.  
 

 

If you don't like the complaints - you can always go home ????

[LukKrueng]

4 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

, I do mind if I have to wear a mask then the tourists should wear a mask

It reminds me of a friend who wanted to become an airforce pilot. When told once he enlisted that might not happen and asked what he would like to do instead he said he'd join the anti aircraft canon brigade. He was then asked why? He answered: if I don't fly - nobody flies!!

[KannikaP]

4 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

If they want the tourists to wear masks then they need to get the word out better.

How about some of those bloody great vinyl posters they put up when an arrest has been made, saying EVERYONE, WEAR A MASK, in various languages.

[bkk6060]

Seems to be relaxed in many areas however, a You Tube Vlogger said the RTP are out full force in Phuket.  He claimed he got stopped on his MB for no mask and was told he needed to pay 20,000 b. He claimed he settled it for less.

So, I guess you never know best to at least keep one with you when out.

[poskat]

tourists should just wear masks if they want to. If the 100,000s of tourists they keep saying are/will  be coming dont wear one, what are they going to do? arrest/fine them all?

 

that would make for some good social media posts

[Jingthing]

What I spend in masks, I save in shaving supplies.

 

Thailand will be masking up at least indoors for years to come.

 

Maybe blame BIG MASK.