1 hour ago, chickenslegs said:

This is puzzling.

School run this morning, Sattahip, not a single parent or child wearing a mask. Shopping in Big C this evening, not a single customer or member of staff wearing a mask as far as I could see.

Out last evening, Bang Saray restaurant and bars - no masks there.

I was in Jomtien Immigration last week, maybe one or two staff with masks, perhaps they had colds and didn't want to spread their germs.

I rarely see anyone masked up these days.

Same here, upcountry : maybe 1 % have a mask 

35 minutes ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

If you read my post properly, you would see I don't live here. I am visiting for the first time in two years, so notice it more as I spend most of my time outside of SE Asia. And no, they don't just wear them when they are sick - that is patently false. 

If you read my post properly you would see I did not say they only wear them when they are sick.

 

Quote

The country calls itself Land of Smiles - yet clearly it isn't.

Maybe they just don't smile at you because you're clearly judging them, probably staring or looking down at them.

To most people Thais are still friendly, smiley, and fun to be around.

44 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I think Bob has a new user name.

I don't think Bob would choose Perfidious Albion as a nickname. More likely a hater of the English.

Some pre-covid context here:

https://www.thaienquirer.com/7726/meaning-behind-the-mask-why-the-face-mask-is-promoted-in-asia-but-shunned-in-the-west/

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

Masks are worn for the pollution. 

 

Try walking sidewalks and see the black smokes being emitted from vehicles nearby. Thailand has basically next to no check on emissions on vehicles (you will notice this if you go get your car serviced) This is dangerous. 

If you are on a bike it's particularly important you mask up. 

 

If you see the red public busses coming at you then you are in trouble as you can see the black disgusting emissions coming from them. 

 

 

 

Furthermore there is also air pollution which gets bad during burning season. 

 

There is also a small element who wear it for Sun protection. 

 

Only and entirely for pollution ?

Right got it.

 

Thanks.

My girlfriend puts makeup on in the morning then covers it up with a mask before she goes out and it stays on until she gets home. A total waste of perfectly good makeup.

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

White skin.

Ask them, they will tell you

Makes sense until you take into account there's no sun inside.

44 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

I don't think Bob would choose Perfidious Albion as a nickname. More likely a hater of the English.

No, I am English - and while I think England is decline, I am far from a hater of my own country. The name is just a reference to a character in a book.

52 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

If you read my post properly you would see I did not say they only wear them when they are sick.

 

Maybe they just don't smile at you because you're clearly judging them, probably staring or looking down at them.

To most people Thais are still friendly, smiley, and fun to be around.

I am friendly to those who show their faces and basic human emotion. Absolutely I am. No way I am going to be kind and friendly to some robot in a face mask though - they have decided to not participate in society like a normal human, so why should I be friendly with them. Anyone in customer service should not be wearing mask in late 2025 - it's awful on so many levels. The fact I even need to explain why I don't like communicating with who cover half their faces is simply staggering. It should be so obvious as to why. There are myriad reasons.

7 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Makes sense until you take into account there's no sun inside.

The sun one is a feeble excuse - I have seen pictures of Thais walking in the pouring rain with soggy surgical masks on. I think people underestimate just how brainwashed, paranoid and cowardly many of them are. It sounds harsh I know, but it's true. There is an unbearable softness that goes right to the heart of the Thai psyche. A large percentage of Thais are scared of covid still and that is why they wear masks - nothing to do with pm25, sun or any of the other reasons mentioned. The fact they think walking alone an empty street with a surgical mask on is the key to good health and never getting sick just shows how utterly broken their education system is. Again, harsh but true. Some expats don't like hearing these uncomfortable truth and thus display a tremendous amount of mental gymnastics to try and justify even the most insane behaviour.

2 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

That's good to hear. Maybe it's just a Bangkok thing then - as that is where I am. 

Perhaps your just overly paranoid or feel the need to post post something. Asians in general have worn masks for years in varying degree and location, not just for covid. The air quality is one main issue and and avoidance of illness is another as Asians are not prone to covering their mouth when sneezing or coughing. You're over exaggeration is another issue as its not rampant. I was just in bkk for over a week traveling and while I saw some using masks its certainly wasn't overwhelming in numbers.

Look at it as a benefit like beer goggles, many women are much better looking with a mask on. 

5 minutes ago, Dan O said:

many women are much better looking with a mask on. 

 

Yeah, but those are the ones not wearing masks.

 

For  some reason it's usually young fit chicks wearing masks.

8 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

For  some reason it's usually young fit chicks wearing masks.

Here’s the reason. It’s because they don’t want your uncontrollable eyes drooling over them and creeping them out.

22 minutes ago, khunJam said:

Here’s the reason. It’s because they don’t want your uncontrollable eyes drooling over them and creeping them out.

What's ironic is that post 58 year old women feel no need to wear masks, when it would be beneficial for all concerned. 

 

Yet young comely girls put on masks. 

 

Is it me? 

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

What's ironic is that post 58 year old women feel no need to wear masks, when it would be beneficial for all concerned. 

 

Yet young comely girls put on masks. 

 

Is it me? 

No it's them. They are weird. There are good looking women in other countries and they don't wear masks. I was in Georgia a few months ago. Many beautiful women there, yet none of them were hiding behind a face mask like someone in a mental asylum. 

2 hours ago, Dan O said:

Perhaps your just overly paranoid or feel the need to post post something. Asians in general have worn masks for years in varying degree and location, not just for covid. The air quality is one main issue and and avoidance of illness is another as Asians are not prone to covering their mouth when sneezing or coughing. You're over exaggeration is another issue as its not rampant. I was just in bkk for over a week traveling and while I saw some using masks its certainly wasn't overwhelming in numbers.

Look at it as a benefit like beer goggles, many women are much better looking with a mask on. 

How good someone looks is not the issue for me. The issue is that masks create a miserable atmosphere; the symbolism attached to them is a reminder of the risible medical authoritarianism we had to endure. They perpetuate levels of fear and anxiety - either subconsciously or consciously. A restaurant filled with maskless smiley people is ostensibly far more welcoming and pleasant than one filled with faceless robots in oversized surgical masks. Anybody who says otherwise is ignoring basic human psychology and is lying to themselves. Not only that, but they massively hinder communication and can be really stressful for people with hearing difficulties. No sane society thinks it's a good idea to wear masks forever. They are also terrible for the environment and are just awful on so many levels. Those soppy Thai men and women who walk around shopping malls in their filthy muzzles are pitiful on so many levels. I just cannot take them seriously in any way - they look like single cell organisms. They are just bodies with no face leaving an unnecessary stench of covid paranoia. Move on ffs you big wimps.

4 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

How good someone looks is not the issue for me. The issue is that masks create a miserable atmosphere; the symbolism attached to them is a reminder of the risible medical authoritarianism we had to endure. They perpetuate levels of fear and anxiety - either subconsciously or consciously. A restaurant filled with maskless smiley people is ostensibly far more welcoming and pleasant than one filled with faceless robots in oversized surgical masks. Anybody who says otherwise is ignoring basic human psychology and is lying to themselves. Not only that, but they massively hinder communication and can be really stressful for people with hearing difficulties. No sane society thinks it's a good idea to wear masks forever. They are also terrible for the environment and are just awful on so many levels. Those soppy Thai men and women who walk around shopping malls in their filthy muzzles are pitiful on so many levels. I just cannot take them seriously in any way - they look like single cell organisms. They are just bodies with no face leaving an unnecessary stench of covid paranoia. Move on ffs you big wimps.

Dude you need to pull up your panties and man up. Masks are  not rampant in bkk. Do some wear them yeah, is it 80% no, 50% no, maybe 10%. Asians have worn masks here for quite a long time and it has nothing to do with covid. If they bother you that much you have an issue within yourself .  Maybe you're in the wrong country and should move on. With the attitude your presenting Im sure you wont be missed. 

9 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

I am friendly to those who show their faces and basic human emotion. Absolutely I am. No way I am going to be kind and friendly to some robot in a face mask though - they have decided to not participate in society like a normal human, so why should I be friendly with them. Anyone in customer service should not be wearing mask in late 2025 - it's awful on so many levels. The fact I even need to explain why I don't like communicating with who cover half their faces is simply staggering. It should be so obvious as to why. There are myriad reasons.

Well Thailand is not for you.

 

When are you off?

11 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Masks are worn for the pollution. 

 

Try walking sidewalks and see the black smokes being emitted from vehicles nearby. Thailand has basically next to no check on emissions on vehicles (you will notice this if you go get your car serviced) This is dangerous. 

If you are on a bike it's particularly important you mask up. 

 

If you see the red public busses coming at you then you are in trouble as you can see the black disgusting emissions coming from them. 

 

 

 

Furthermore there is also air pollution which gets bad during burning season. 

 

There is also a small element who wear it for Sun protection. 

 

No evidence that masks do anything about that

Hmm, have been traveling to Thailand since the early 90's and have lived here '04-'07 and now for the last 10yrs.  Asians have been wearing masks way before COVID.  If you had a cold or cough you would put one on as a courtesy to other people.  This way if you coughed of sneezed, the vast majority of the aerosol was trapped in the mask.  That is still the rule in our house.

8 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

The issue is that masks create a miserable atmosphere; the symbolism attached to them is a reminder of the risible medical authoritarianism we had to endure. 

 

So true, if only masks could be outlawed.

I don't understand why so many still wear masks, unless they're proper N95 masks and the pollution levels are high.

 

But I also don't understand why non-mask wearers are bothered by what others do?

13 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

I’ve just come back to Thailand for the first time in two years to see my father, and honestly, I’m in absolute disbelief. How on earth are people STILL wearing masks everywhere? And I mean everywhere. Out in the open sun, alone on motorbikes, in empty corridors, walking on the beach – you name it. The most illogical, pointless situations imaginable… yet the masks are still glued on like some national uniform.

I used to love the warmth, personality and vibrancy of this country. Thailand always had a strong identity – expressive, open, full of character. Now? It feels like the soul has been completely drained. It’s like everyone is hiding behind the same blank expressionless sheet of fabric. A faceless society. That’s honestly what it feels like.

And the worst part? It’s clear this isn’t going away. There’s no sign that this obsession will ever stop. People seem terrified to break from the habit, as if the mask has become a permanent part of Thai culture. How did something meant to be temporary turn into a bizarre long-term behavioural ritual?

Tourism numbers make total sense to me now. Why would people “flock” back to a country where you can’t even see anyone’s face? Where the atmosphere feels controlled, muted, and borderline dystopian? It’s not welcoming – it’s just depressing. This is not the Thailand people fell in love with.

I never imagined I’d say this, but coming back has been a real shock. It’s like returning to a place you once knew only to find it’s been replaced by some strange masked-version of itself. Atmosphere stinks of covid paranoia - nobody give me this pm25 bull<deleted> either - there is sod all pm25 inside 7-11

 

 

You joined up to  pester people with your  mask obsession?   WTF is it to you if people wear a mask? Do Thai people complain when you wear your ugly polyester shirts? I wear a mask on many days.  I do it because the air quality is very bad. From last Dec. -to May of this year, there was so much silica and concrete dust in the air as sidewalks were being replaced as to be a health hazard. Added to that were the multiple building projects, and the heavy traffic congestion that created some very bad air quality conditions, even in a 7-11.  Even when I sought relief by walking along the beach, the heavy polluted air blew down from the  North and Bangkok creating choking high particulate polluted air. Some people don't bother removing their mask when they run errands. Sometimes I do not, if I still have my  motorbike helmet on. During this year's burning season, the air in Hua Hin was at the same level as some of the most polluted cities in the world. There were days when my throat was so bad and I was spitting up black snot. Relief from the non construction related air pollution only came in early April. 

 

If you don't want a mask, don't wear one. No one cares if you do or don't. Why you think  people need  a lecture on what you  disapprove of speaks to your own self importance and nothing else. 

Today, 645 AM at Bo Sang morning market, buying Kowmangai for the work crew. I saw a couple masks and I was just sitting on my scooter as Misses was buying. Flu or an upsurge in wuhan flu brings a them out. Of course  there are a number of locals who just wear them all the time when out and have for years now.

If you spent more time in Thailand & outside of Pattaya, U would know this, OP.  

4 hours ago, Dan O said:

Dude you need to pull up your panties and man up. Masks are  not rampant in bkk. Do some wear them yeah, is it 80% no, 50% no, maybe 10%. Asians have worn masks here for quite a long time and it has nothing to do with covid. If they bother you that much you have an issue within yourself .  Maybe you're in the wrong country and should move on. With the attitude your presenting Im sure you wont be missed. 

As I said in my original post, I don't live here, my father does. I have come to visit him for three weeks. It is patently more than 10%, and there is a lingering covid vibe here that simply doesn't exist in most other countries. It is weird and very noticeable to people whom spend the majority of their time in post-covid societies. Typically, the sexpats who defend Thailand at all costs due to fear of having their visa revoked resort to the usual tactic of telling anyone they disagree with to 'go home' as none of their arguments stand up to even basic scrutiny.

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

 

 

You joined up to  pester people with your  mask obsession?   WTF is it to you if people wear a mask? Do Thai people complain when you wear your ugly polyester shirts? I wear a mask on many days.  I do it because the air quality is very bad. From last Dec. -to May of this year, there was so much silica and concrete dust in the air as sidewalks were being replaced as to be a health hazard. Added to that were the multiple building projects, and the heavy traffic congestion that created some very bad air quality conditions, even in a 7-11.  Even when I sought relief by walking along the beach, the heavy polluted air blew down from the  North and Bangkok creating choking high particulate polluted air. Some people don't bother removing their mask when they run errands. Sometimes I do not, if I still have my  motorbike helmet on. During this year's burning season, the air in Hua Hin was at the same level as some of the most polluted cities in the world. There were days when my throat was so bad and I was spitting up black snot. Relief from the non construction related air pollution only came in early April. 

 

If you don't want a mask, don't wear one. No one cares if you do or don't. Why you think  people need  a lecture on what you  disapprove of speaks to your own self importance and nothing else. 

Thais wear masks because they still have an irrational fear of covid, nowt to to do with pm25. If you actually engaged with the more thoughtful responses I have crafted, it is very clear why I think they bother me. The country has lost some of its charm, identity and vibrancy because of their mask obsession. Interacting with faceless robots who 6 years on still remain terrified of covid is not relaxing and makes a mockery of their 'Land of Smiles' tagline.

4 minutes ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

As I said in my original post, I don't live here, my father does. I have come to visit him for three weeks. It is patently more than 10%, and there is a lingering covid vibe here that simply doesn't exist in most other countries. It is weird and very noticeable to people whom spend the majority of their time in post-covid societies. Typically, the sexpats who defend Thailand at all costs due to fear of having their visa revoked resort to the usual tactic of telling anyone they disagree with to 'go home' as none of their arguments stand up to even basic scrutiny.

I'm not a sex pat so nice try at deflecting. You choose to come to visit so you have to deal with the culture and conduct of the citizen that live here.  if the few mask wearers really bother you that much you have choices.  I'm sure many of the locals don't waste much time complianing about the way you dress. 

11 minutes ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

If you actually engaged with the more thoughtful responses I have crafted, it is very clear why I think they bother me.

Sorry they bother you, dont go to Japan or Taiwan for sure then. I dont really understand it either, but at the same time have to respect it. I dont do it and have never had a problem with not wearing a mask. In reality you have no choice but to accept it living here. If you dont may I be the first to say adios. 

14 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

I’ve just come back to Thailand for the first time in two years to see my father, and honestly, I’m in absolute disbelief. How on earth are people STILL wearing masks everywhere? And I mean everywhere. Out in the open sun, alone on motorbikes, in empty corridors, walking on the beach – you name it. The most illogical, pointless situations imaginable… yet the masks are still glued on like some national uniform.

I used to love the warmth, personality and vibrancy of this country. Thailand always had a strong identity – expressive, open, full of character. Now? It feels like the soul has been completely drained. It’s like everyone is hiding behind the same blank expressionless sheet of fabric. A faceless society. That’s honestly what it feels like.

And the worst part? It’s clear this isn’t going away. There’s no sign that this obsession will ever stop. People seem terrified to break from the habit, as if the mask has become a permanent part of Thai culture. How did something meant to be temporary turn into a bizarre long-term behavioural ritual?

Tourism numbers make total sense to me now. Why would people “flock” back to a country where you can’t even see anyone’s face? Where the atmosphere feels controlled, muted, and borderline dystopian? It’s not welcoming – it’s just depressing. This is not the Thailand people fell in love with.

I never imagined I’d say this, but coming back has been a real shock. It’s like returning to a place you once knew only to find it’s been replaced by some strange masked-version of itself. Atmosphere stinks of covid paranoia - nobody give me this pm25 bull<deleted> either - there is sod all pm25 inside 7-11

 

Moaners gotta moan.

 

Deal with it.

14 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

It is not natural or normal to live like this. Not in any way, shape or form. It is anti-human and borderline dystopian. What's even more bewildering is that many seemingly well-educated foreigners think it's also totally normal. They pretend it has always been like this (it hasn't) or come up with the Pm25 bull<deleted>. PM25 on the top floor of a state-of-the-art shopping mall? Are you kidding me - what an insult to my intelligence to think I would believe such nonsense. I am just grateful that my stay is only for 3 weeks - I would go insane if I was living here full-time.

 

..and moan