Face masks back on as cabinet votes down end of mandate in June. Nightlife trade slams reopening

[webfact]

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a spokesman for Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, on Monday, confirmed to the media that face masks are still mandatory in Thailand after a cabinet decision on Monday to reject a proposal to scrap the outdoor face mask mandate in June. The move comes as nightlife operators in Bangkok have been quite vocal about the reopening from June 1st including the need to close at midnight and to have nightlife workers wear face masks even in the city’s famous massage parlours.

 

by Joseph O' Connor

 

Nightlife business owner says his customers are not happy with seeing masseuses with face masks on while other operators slam the nervousness of the government and the restrictions on trade which they want to see liberalised even further than things were in 2020 to give their businesses a badly needed shot in the arm after two years of losses and debt. This comes as the economic recovery is showing signs of slowing again in 2022 while the foreign tourism industry is making a slower than expected comeback.

 

The Thai cabinet, on Monday, blocked a proposal to remove the face mask mandate in respect of outdoor environments. The decision comes amid growing criticism from the country’s nightlife sector over the public health measures being imposed on businesses, at this time, including the need for staff to wear face masks and a midnight closing time.

 

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Thailand’s economic recovery, this year, is also beginning to stall with exports falling from March to April and the government’s budgetary position tightening as stimulus efforts and financial supports dry up. Many now fear that the reticence of the government may already be impeding a badly needed full foreign tourism recovery which is taking longer than expected to gain traction. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/05/31/face-masks-back-on-after-cabinet-decision/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-06-01

 

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[daveAustin]

In order for this idiocy to change, afraid you gotta get your hands dirty guys and take your country back!

[smedly]

what planet are these people living 

 

in saying that - can we have the total Thai government wearing masks because it makes me sick every time I look at them - I vote mask for gov - are there any super sized available that could completely cover their heads or better still - just one huge one that they can wear together at all times .......................... with a big "D" logo .............and the cumulative IQ of them all combined - pretty sure not a lot of ink required 

[smedly]

Just now, smedly said:

what planet are these people living 

 

in saying that - can we have the total Thai government wearing masks because it makes me sick every time I look at them - I vote mask for gov - are there any super sized available that could completely cover their heads or better still - just one huge one that they can wear together at all times .......................... with a big "D" logo .............and the cumulative IQ of them all combined - pretty sure not a lot of ink required 

more wood

[BonMot]

Population control. Economy be damned.

[Thailand]

Bunch of Richards!

[anchadian]

Then the foreign tourists should be made aware of this

 

Yesterday evening I viewed this live webcam from Koh Samui.  I saw many foreigners but not one was wearing a mask.

 

It's like this all over Thailand.
 

 

 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

It's just about looking to have power and control now, nothing else.

[malibukid]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

what planet are these people living 

 

in saying that - can we have the total Thai government wearing masks because it makes me sick every time I look at them - I vote mask for gov - are there any super sized available that could completely cover their heads or better still - just one huge one that they can wear together at all times .......................... with a big "D" logo .............and the cumulative IQ of them all combined - pretty sure not a lot of ink required 

why not just brown bag them altogether. 

[KhonKaenLive]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai cabinet, on Monday, blocked a proposal to remove the face mask mandate

More nonsense. It seems few government officials can read a research study. 

[jacko45k]

5 hours ago, rainham said:

 

 

Why do you care, are you living here and subject to this discomfort? I do and it isn't so bad. Must be very bored to worry about this....

[rainham]

Just a thought but is it possible that somewhere there's a warehouse full of masks that need to be sold ?

[itsari]

5 hours ago, rainham said:

 

 

Face masks are required in many countries . What planet are you referring too?

[Sydebolle]

Do not forget to include the "glory hole" in the governmental mandatory mask instructions for the soapy workers as they need to be able to use the straw to sip Pepsi:

Thank the Lord for the timely intervention of the internal trade department was prohibited to increase their price as of 1 June 2022 ???? Good news for the union of soapy workers (USW) and bad news for Pepsi ???? 
 

 

[aussiexpat]

I wore a mask in Thailand for 4 months, all it did for me was make me drink more as I didn't have to wear a mask in bars

 

Now back in Aus I had to wear a mask in the Doctors clinic. I lasted 20 minutes and left as I couldn't stand having the mask on...mild form of PTSD?

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

Then the foreign tourists should be made aware of this

 

Yesterday evening I viewed this live webcam from Koh Samui.  I saw many foreigners but not one was wearing a mask.

 

It's like this all over Thailand.
 

 

 

 

 

I was just there. Foreigners are using common sense and not wearing masks, since there is barely any covid. Defy stupidity. 

 

 

[spidermike007]

It is getting to the point to utter stupidity, and a total lack of common sense. The other day I was in an outdoor restaurant, and there was an entire table of people wearing masks. As soon as the food arrives, they not only took off their masks, but they were digging into the common area food with their own spoons, which they had already eaten with. The lack of science in this debate, and situation is stunning. 

 

It is really about keeping the people scared, at this time. Numbers continue to drop, standard cloth masks have limited effectiveness, wearing them outdoors is downright silly, and this ultra paranoid behavior has to stop. The government and goons like Anutin are largely responsible for an environment of fear at this stage of the game. This is about maintaining paranoia, control, and fear. After all, you would not want the people to get too comfortable. They might take to the streets again, and show their disdain for this thoroughly toxic, and nearly useless administration. 

 

Questioning the narrative is essential to life, prosperity and well being. Being a lemming is not a desirable trait. We all know how minor the effect of a cloth mask is. Defy nonsense. Be disobedient. Defy stupidity and big brother's diabolical scare mongering nonsense, every chance you get. 

Hopefully, we will see alot of civil disobedience.

I for one, will not be wearing a mask for much longer. This is getting ridiculous. Defy stupidity and oppression! Embrace science and common sense. 

 

Thailand is likely one of the last remaining countries in the world to require this. It is juvenile. It is oppressive. It is sheer denial of science. Especially mask use outdoors. It is likely a way to keep the people afraid, paranoid and prevent them from taking to the streets and expressing their extreme disappointment with the leadership here, who have failed them on nearly every level and are despised. 
 

[Damrongsak]

21 minutes ago, KhonKaenLive said:

More nonsense. It seems few government officials can read a research study. 

Younger buffaloes follow the lead buffalo.  None of them really know where they are going.

[rainham]

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Why do you care, are you living here and subject to this discomfort? I do and it isn't so bad. Must be very bored to worry about this....

I'm gonna be there in june i haven't seen my wife for over years which isn't the best situation, anyhow I'm not trying to offend anyone we've all had a bumpy ride I'm just saying that mask wearing on a country by country basis has achieved very little even if you had the top grade mask you've got to take it off at some point the virus is airborne so getting it is pretty much inevitable i e tested positive for it twice and had no symptoms other people i work with have had common cold symptoms and some have had mild flu type symptoms I've not heard of any one that has been fully vaccinated requiring  hospitalization not disputing the fact that there are people that have needed medical assistance  it's over for now in my opinion 

Regards

Danny.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai cabinet, on Monday, blocked a proposal to remove the face mask mandate in respect of outdoor environments. The decision comes amid growing criticism from the country’s nightlife sector over the public health measures being imposed on businesses, at this time, including the need for staff to wear face masks and a midnight closing time.

Come the election they all know what to do, vote him out.

[Barefootknobby]

Until they have sold off the billions of masks bought they will keep going to get their investment back

[ikke1959]

With almost no new cases anymore stop wearing he masks. Wear it when there are many people together in a place as in a minivan, the BTS, an airplane or whatever. How can open a nightlive with masks on.. How do people drink?? How do you invent rules to stay 1,5 m away from eachother in a club or karaokebar where you can't talk even if you are sitting 30 cm from eachother becausde of the loud crazy music? Tv presenters should start to give the example..Or do they think they can infect people through the screen?  In many countries the masks in ope air are not necessary anymore.. so please stop the nonsens and start a normal life again 

[peter zwart]

It is power they want to maintain. They are already rich so that will be secondary. And they don't care at all about the economic pain of the common citizen. I am afraid that Thailand will fall back very far with this policy. Very sad.
 

[Spilornis]

Strange decision especially as it relates to wearing masks outdoors.

All the nearby South East Asian countries who have considered the issue in the last two months (Singapore, Indonesia Malaysia etc) have removed the outdoor mask mandate.

It has had a negligible impact on daily official covid numbers.

I would expect Vietnam to follow shortly

[aussienam]

Back in Oz it has been so much of a relief not having to wear a mask in stifling heat outside in Thailand, breathing in even warmer air and adding to heat exhaustion. 

 

At times I was feeling breathless with a mask on from and drained and dreaded at times going out at all as the mask was really getting to me.  An extreme annoyance and constant discomfort.  Sore ears from elastic pulling on it as well.  

 

For now I can go anywhere, except only for doctor's clinics and hospitals without a mask.  So much of a damned relief.  To feel 'normal' again is great. 

 

You see just some elderly and some others still wearing masks here - and that's fine.  But for the rest of us here, NO NEED ANYMORE.  Common sense has prevailed with medical advice from those in charge. 

 

Thailand is no different in it's stage of the COVID disease IMO. The Delta strain smashed us all and was a nasty variant (I got it), but Omicron has demonstrated far less severe and more akin to a cold for most.  Inevitably, everyone will get the virus.  We have vaccines, and immunity response from that as well as previous infections.  What are they waiting for?  Complete eradication one day? 

 

Nope.  It's never going to happen.  COVID is a permanent addition to all the other viruses we have in communities. 

 

It will mutate and persist forever, unless there is an actual antidote that causes 100% immunity and cure.  We could be wearing damned masks for the next 100 years.  Ridiculous.  No way to live and enjoy life.  Paranoia just perpetuates.  

 

 

[Willy Wombat]

Cowards 

[KCPhuket]

Stupid old farts time for a new generation these clowns always think they're smarter than the rest of the world.

[Plus Esse Quam Simultatur]

That little tyran always wants to get the last word and most of the time it's not about common sense it's about showing power. Gosh

Thailand getting what they deserve.

[IamNoone88]

Nuff said

[jacko45k]

25 minutes ago, rainham said:

I'm gonna be there in june i haven't seen my wife for over years which isn't the best situation, anyhow I'm not trying to offend anyone we've all had a bumpy ride I'm just saying that mask wearing on a country by country basis has achieved very little even

Your priority should be getting back to visit then. I am here and it really isn't a big deal..... just cry babies from other countries seem to  be intent on telling Thailand and Thais what to do... as if other countries have achieved better results.  The did not.