Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul this week insisted that face masks should continue to be worn by everyone in Thailand even when the current emergency comes to an end with the virus on track to being declared endemic in the weeks ahead. He said that the current emergency had raised and improved Thailand’s standing abroad while also revealing to reporters that he has asked his officials to find ways to direct people’s behaviour concerning face masks even if the health threat was now being brought under control. The minister was also non-committal on when the Thailand Pass application would be withdrawn and said his officials were also working on protocols for the nightlife industry and bars even after endemic status is declared. (Inset Right) Minister Anutin with the permanent secretary at his ministry Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit at the ministry in Nonthaburi.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Minister still on a mission about face masks. A key committee within the Ministry of Public Health is looking to make sure that the public, including foreign tourists, continues to wear face masks even after the virus has been declared endemic in the coming months which may still include some sort of mandate or legal provision in certain circumstances. 

 

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has come out strongly this week to insist on the need to make sure that face masks are still worn throughout the kingdom even after the current emergency comes to an end with endemic status declared. On Thursday, he told reporters that he has asked his officials to find a way to direct the public’s behaviour in this respect even if the current health threat itself can be seen as under control for now. Minister Anutin also could not confirm a date for removal of the Thailand Pass application which he acknowledged was being worked towards and said that a declaration of endemic status would require input from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

 

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Thailand’s Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has doubled down on his stance regarding the use of face masks this week as he called on his officials to encourage their use among the public and foreign tourists.

 

This could extend even to a legal basis making them still mandatory after the kingdom has declared endemic status with regard to the disease, a move widely expected in the weeks ahead.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/05/13/anutin-says-face-masks-still-to-be-needed/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-05-13

 

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Masking will be expected in most Asian countries for many years.

From the linked article:

 

"Right now, controlling the disease is not a problem, but controlling people's behaviour is" !

 

Sums up this <deleted> and the whole regime to a tee.

Sad ! 

Control control control. Wonder how many heart attacks and stress these horrible things are causing to people in a hot country, let alone the waste and pollution. At least make it only mandatory indoors. Having a lone cyclist in the middle of nowhere mask up is a little extreme, no?

Children!

I met my Wife for lunch to day. I parked up (motorcycle) 2 meters from the door to the restaurant. 

My Wife was sat 3 meters inside. 

 

The idea of getting off my motorcycle, putting on a mask, just too take off the mask 5 meters later and drink the water that was at the table felt utterly preposterous....  I didn’t wear the mask of course.... so I’m now one of these bad foreigners Anutin hates. 

 

I’m not against mask wearing in busy areas such as BTS etc... but sometimes it seems to me as though the world has lost any logic and gone mad. 

 

 

The worst part of all of this in Thailand is the about turn that government officials keep making regarding face-masks.

 

Feb 2022: MOPH Confirms No Legal Obligations For People To Wear Face Masks

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

 

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Masking will be expected in most Asian countries for many years.

Asians truly love their masks, the compliance of use is incomparable with other parts of the world. Meanwhile the EU is removing the mask mandate at airports and in planes meaning that travel to Thailand or other oriental destinations is going to bear one more disadvantage. I have just travelled in a few European countries this month and about 99% of people have been maskless even in planes.

48 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Masking will be expected in most Asian countries for many years.

I'm currently in London. About the only people on the streets wearing face masks are Asians. Mostly it's only dirty Farangs who are maskless.

 

I hated wearing masks more than any other rule they imposed here in Queensland.

 

And the thought of going on holiday to a hot and sweaty Thailand and having to wear a mask while most of the civilised world has moved on from them really irritates me.

On 5/13/2022 at 3:47 AM, richard_smith237 said:

I met my Wife for lunch to day. I parked up (motorcycle) 2 meters from the door to the restaurant. 

My Wife was sat 3 meters inside. 

 

The idea of getting off my motorcycle, putting on a mask, just too take off the mask 5 meters later and drink the water that was at the table felt utterly preposterous....  I didn’t wear the mask of course.... so I’m now one of these bad foreigners Anutin hates. 

 

I’m not against mask wearing in busy areas such as BTS etc... but sometimes it seems to me as though the world has lost any logic and gone mad. 

 

 

The worst part of all of this in Thailand is the about turn that government officials keep making regarding face-masks.

 

Feb 2022: MOPH Confirms No Legal Obligations For People To Wear Face Masks

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

 

 

 

 

 

Anutin having no idea about anything will condemn the tourism sector to more pain. 
 

Westerners are not choosing Thailand for leisure with arbitrary non effective mask Rules in place. 

Another load of rabble from the mouth of an eejit!

 

Latest Travel News: Face masks ‘no longer recommended’ on European flights and in airports

https://www.skyscanner.net/news/travel-briefing

2 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

From the linked article:

 

"Right now, controlling the disease is not a problem, but controlling people's behaviour is" !

 

Sums up this <deleted> and the whole regime to a tee.

Sad ! 

Something weve seen the last 2 years all over the world. This has nothing to do with public health.

No mask here in Bali ! Walk the streets, go into bars , at my hotel no Mask!

 

not coming to Thailand again until they get rid of the mask mandate 

 

May as well stay home as no mask in Qld excepts hospitals 

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

I'm currently in London. About the only people on the streets wearing face masks are Asians. Mostly it's only dirty Farangs who are maskless.

 

Same in US in shops and airports, and old people. 

On 5/13/2022 at 5:40 AM, sandrew33 said:

 

Anutin having no idea about anything will condemn the tourism sector to more pain. 
 

Westerners are not choosing Thailand for leisure with arbitrary non effective mask Rules in place. 

I am not sure if it’s the requirement to wear masks that is keeping people away as the tourists I have seen around Chiang Mai in recent weeks are not wearing them.

I would suggest that it’s more likely the requirement to obtain the Thailand Pass and in particular the insurance requirement and prior to its removal the quarantine and testing.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that the current emergency had raised and improved Thailand’s standing abroad

What a 100% idiot.  Yet another reason for tourists to avoid Thailand.  Does this shower not see that "Thailand's standing abroad"  has never been lower?

Just now, blazes said:

What a 100% idiot.  Yet another reason for tourists to avoid Thailand.  Does this shower not see that "Thailand's standing abroad"  has never been lower?

What makes you say that? I think there have been events in the past where it was far lower, and currently it is not low!

Contrdictions all the time.. They make an endemic but the whole nation needs to wear a mask.. Tourist are welcome from countries all over the world, but need to wear a mask in Thailand..

Do they really tink that this will make boost the tourism industry, while in other countries you can go maskless?? add this with no e cigarettes, alcohol sales and use rules, and many more and than be wondered why the tourists are not coming 

Just now, KhonKaenLive said:

Before the pandemic, there was forty years of studies proving masks had no impact on respiratory disease transmission.

If I am required to undergo surgery, I do hope masks will be used. 

So not compulsory to wear a mask then.

 

Good decision! 

 

Needs to seek advice from WHO says nothing for Thailand's standing in the world. Probably Thai Airlines will be the only ones to compel their passengers to wear face masks . 

7 minutes ago, KhonKaenLive said:

I would also hope my surgeon wears one too. They are not worn to protect against respiratory disease. 

Well if I was aware I was getting in a lift with a bunch of covid infected people I would wear a good mask. Feel free to try the same experiment without one

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I met my Wife for lunch to day. I parked up (motorcycle) 2 meters from the door to the restaurant. 

My Wife was sat 3 meters inside. 

 

The idea of getting off my motorcycle, putting on a mask, just too take off the mask 5 meters later and drink the water that was at the table felt utterly preposterous....  I didn’t wear the mask of course.... so I’m now one of these bad foreigners Anutin hates. 

 

I’m not against mask wearing in busy areas such as BTS etc... but sometimes it seems to me as though the world has lost any logic and gone mad. 

 

 

The worst part of all of this in Thailand is the about turn that government officials keep making regarding face-masks.

 

Feb 2022: MOPH Confirms No Legal Obligations For People To Wear Face Masks

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

 

 

 

 

when in Rome

14 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

If I am required to undergo surgery, I do hope masks will be used. 

What a stupid comment to make regarding the mask/epidemic/pandemic discussion!

 

I suppose you want the surgeons etc. to wear the same dispossable masks that we are mandated to wear because of the epidemic and not proper surgical masks?

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

Well if I was aware I was getting in a lift with a bunch of covid infected people I would wear a good mask. Feel free to try the same experiment without one

Would gladly get in that lift on the chance I might catch covid.

 

A 7 day covid holiday would be awesome and give me some much needed time at home to work on some projects.

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Would gladly get in that lift on the chance I might catch covid.

 

A 7 day covid holiday would be awesome and give me some much needed time at home to work on some projects.

Good for you, I have an underlying condition so could be dangerous for me. Plus I would then not like to pass it onto my family

1 hour ago, sandrew33 said:

Given a comprehensive peer reviewed study was released yesterday which showed ZERO benefit to ANY mask outside a proper fit tested N95 (as worn by health care workers in hospital settings) why are you supportive of masks at all? 

Interesting, is the study about protecting the mask wearer, or the mask wearer protecting others when they cough , sneeze etc?

3 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

Masking will be expected in most Asian countries for many years.

Personally with pollution still an un-solved issue I don't have a problem with this.

Just drop the rest of the BS and I can live with wearing a mask.

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The idea of getting off my motorcycle, putting on a mask, just too take off the mask 5 meters later and drink the water that was at the table felt utterly preposterous....  I didn’t wear the mask of course.... so I’m now one of these bad foreigners Anutin hates.

You rebel you... what next no underwear?

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

You rebel you... what next no underwear?

Leaving one's house with no underwear on is illegal.... not so much for the face mask.