On 11/6/2025 at 8:42 PM, 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.

You sound precious. Why do you care what other people do. Go and get yourself laid please and chill out. 

34 minutes ago, advancebooking said:

You sound precious. Why do you care what other people do. Go and get yourself laid please and chill out. 

You can make that argument for anything, it's meaningless. I can just respond by saying "why do you care that I care" - people care because it's creepy, insane and utterly devoid of all rationality. And unlike wrinkly and decrepit sexpats like you, I don't need to pay money to get laid.

14 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

I think the OP is massively exaggerating the number of mask wearers, but I don't know why.

 

For example, in yesterday's crowd of over 20,000 football supporters at the Supachalasai National Stadium I could see just a few masks. I wasn't there but there is lots of TV footage available. 

Typical crowd screenshot ...a couple of masks in this pic

 

 

Not exaggerated at all. Look at this video - this is very typical of most streets in Bangkok and Thailand that are devoid of tourists, around 60%-70% all muzzled up.  like slaves. It is ghastly and no sane individual would want to be surrounded by such paranaoid freaks. 

 

On 11/6/2025 at 9:02 PM, MalcolmB said:

I think Bob has a new user name.

If it was Bob he wouldn't be so clueless

On 11/6/2025 at 8:28 PM, 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?

I think you're exaggerating. We see some, mainly elderly, wearing masks down here in Hat Yai. My granddaughter's school require kids with colds/flu whatever, if attending school, to wear a mask. Hospital staff, and some people in service industries with lots of customer contact, wear masks. But it's a minority, somewhere around 10 maybe 15%.

 

It's their personal choice, get used to it or go home.

18 minutes ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

60%-70% all muzzled up

Certainly less than that. BTS, sure some folks like to mask in confined spaces, flights the same, but no where near 60-70% and far fewer once out on the street. But why does someone else's choice get your panties in such a wad?

32 minutes ago, Stocky said:

I think you're exaggerating. We see some, mainly elderly, wearing masks down here in Hat Yai. My granddaughter's school require kids with colds/flu whatever, if attending school, to wear a mask. Hospital staff, and some people in service industries with lots of customer contact, wear masks. But it's a minority, somewhere around 10 maybe 15%.

 

It's their personal choice, get used to it or go home.

Lol if you bothered to read my OP I quite clearly stated that I don't live here - just visiting my dad who does live here. So the predictable nonsense of 'go home if you don't like it' is a moot point. Again, not repeating myself as to why I don't like seeing masks - the reasons why are clearly outlined in my OP - masks dehumanize people, create a miserable atmosphere and make a mockery of Thailand's 'Land of Smiles' gimmick - many valid reasons to not like seeing people wearing muzzles like some disobedient dog. It is perturbing that so many seem content living in a society that lives in constant fear of covid. 6 years of this nonsense now - longer than WW2. Of course though, anyone who travels outside of their Thailand bubble will know that ROW stopped muzzling around 3 years ago. Only Asians (who let's not forget started this nonsense) are the only ones weak enough to still care.

1 minute ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

Lol if you bothered to read my OP I quite clearly stated that I don't live here - just visiting my dad who does live here. So the predictable nonsense of 'go home if you don't like it' is a moot point. Again, not repeating myself as to why I don't like seeing masks - the reasons why are clearly outlined in my OP - masks dehumanize people, create a miserable atmosphere and make a mockery of Thailand's 'Land of Smiles' gimmick - many valid reasons to not like seeing people wearing muzzles like some disobedient dog. It is perturbing that so many seem content living in a society that lives in constant fear of covid. 6 years of this nonsense now - longer than WW2. Of course though, anyone who travels outside of their Thailand bubble will know that ROW stopped muzzling around 3 years ago. Only Asians (who let's not forget started this nonsense) are the only ones weak enough to still care.

I bet your dad's happy when you set off back home.............😬

Are you one of those with not a good word for LOS.....?   😏

45 minutes ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

So the predictable nonsense of 'go home if you don't like it' is a moot point.

Splendid, off you trot then.

1 hour ago, transam said:

I bet your dad's happy when you set off back home.............😬

Are you one of those with not a good word for LOS.....?   😏

I have many good things to say about Thailand, but while much of the populace are still wearing muzzles it has no right to continue calling itself 'Land of Smiles' - it's like Saudi Arabia calling itself the 'Land of progressive feminism' 

39 minutes ago, Stocky said:

Splendid, off you trot then.

Oh no some random old sexpat who lives in HatYai can't wait for another random man on the internet to leave - oh no, how will I ever cope with this trauma 

31 minutes ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

I have many good things to say about Thailand, but while much of the populace are still wearing muzzles it has no right to continue calling itself 'Land of Smiles' - it's like Saudi Arabia calling itself the 'Land of progressive feminism' 

I think it is only us farangy's that call it LOS, but, it seems you think the populace wear masks at home and in bed, and a dust mask is not a muzzle, unless you think your dad lives with dogs.....😏

 

 

 

I also think you yourself must be just a nosey people watcher, with nothing else better to do but run people down in another country.

 

So, tell me, what do you say to those female Muslim folk who cover their whole self up in your country............?  🤫

1 hour ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

Lol if you bothered to read my OP I quite clearly stated that I don't live here - just visiting my dad who does live here. So the predictable nonsense of 'go home if you don't like it' is a moot point. Again, not repeating myself as to why I don't like seeing masks - the reasons why are clearly outlined in my OP - masks dehumanize people, create a miserable atmosphere and make a mockery of Thailand's 'Land of Smiles' gimmick - many valid reasons to not like seeing people wearing muzzles like some disobedient dog. It is perturbing that so many seem content living in a society that lives in constant fear of covid. 6 years of this nonsense now - longer than WW2. Of course though, anyone who travels outside of their Thailand bubble will know that ROW stopped muzzling around 3 years ago. Only Asians (who let's not forget started this nonsense) are the only ones weak enough to still care.

They are not wearing masks because fear of just covid. People have been wearing masks for years especially in the north because of smoke season. Also they dont want a sun tan. Go and look at all the skin whitening products for sale. 

1 hour ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

random old sexpat who lives in HatYai

Muppet

2 hours ago, my friend I said:

They are not wearing masks because fear of just covid. People have been wearing masks for years especially in the north because of smoke season. Also they dont want a sun tan. Go and look at all the skin whitening products for sale. 

Yes the way the sun beams into those state-of-the sopping malls is intense. Same for supermarkets - it's common knowledge that supermarkets in Thailand are very prone to sunlight.

7 hours ago, PerfidiousAlbion said:

You can make that argument for anything, it's meaningless. I can just respond by saying "why do you care that I care" - people care because it's creepy, insane and utterly devoid of all rationality. And unlike wrinkly and decrepit sexpats like you, I don't need to pay money to get laid.

I think perhaps you are one uptight pri&k. I wouldn't want to meet you in real life. No offence 

Oldie but: how do you tell a happy motorcyclist, by the amount of flies in his teeth

On 11/6/2025 at 9:01 PM, MalcolmB said:

Another whining exaggerating clueless anti masker. I was hoping they had sort of disappeared.

 

Thais wear masks for a number of reasons .

They prefer to keep the  sun off their faces,

And don’t want to breathe in traffic fumes.

If they have a cold, cough, Covid etc it is common courtesy for those around them.

To protect themselves from the BS that sprays out of anti maskers mouths.

 

On 11/6/2025 at 9:02 PM, PerfidiousAlbion said:

You are a Nigel Farage fan yet enjoy face masks - very strange combo

Perfidious Albion, why a strange combo? People’s views are not monolithic; I’m thoroughly progressive but believe in Israel’s right to defend itself, which some people may find contradictory. I don’t know if MalcolmB’s picture of Nigel Farage is intended admiringly or ironically, but I totally agree with his take on masks.

On 11/6/2025 at 8:43 PM, PerfidiousAlbion said:

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

That's also where the pollution is....the higher altitude in a polluted area, the higher the pollution level.  But, it is a personal thing but what I fail to understand is why YOU want everyone to think like you it seems.  

On 11/6/2025 at 9:13 PM, 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. 

 

Yes, the pollution in shopping centres and restaurants and 7/11s is shocking.

 

Newbie/tourist viewpoint.

 

Thai people wore masks long before COVID.

On 11/6/2025 at 8:42 PM, 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.

We are all grateful your stay is limited to only 3 weeks 😗

Even before covid people would wear masks when they were sick to help prevent spreading it to others.  Lots of police working on the road would wear masks to protect from polution.

 

I still see some people wearing masks now but it is in the minority.  Often they are wearing them down on their chin anyways.

I supposed you could flip it to the top of your head to avoid a ticket.  (joke)

Okay some Thais do wear them in absurd and unnecessary situations, but masks do help protect from the ever increasing air pollution in Thailand especially in the cities. When I'm in the city I wear a mask while riding my bicycle. Covid also educated me to still wear a mask during long haul flights between the UK and Thailand. Not specifically to protect from COVID but from any viruses circulating with so many people in such a small confined space, and   sometimes passengers coughing and spluttering nearby. Common sense really! In the past,  l have sometimes suffered extremely bad cold viruses, or the like, after flying. By the way many Thais wore masks before COVID.

On 11/6/2025 at 9:02 PM, PerfidiousAlbion said:

You are a Nigel Farage fan yet enjoy face masks - very strange combo

 

A complete face mask would suit Farage well. We see and hear far too much of him.

On 11/6/2025 at 8:28 PM, 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

If anyone tries to talk to me wearing a mask, I will point to the mask then my ears then just walk away.

On 11/6/2025 at 8:32 PM, Cameroni said:

I know, it's astounding. The fear and paranoia is ingrained now.

 

It's terrible, you can't see young women's faces...

If it's the ugly guys with the facial hair then maybe they are best wearing a mask.

The staff at Khon Kaen RAM hospital are told by the management to wear masks. You might expect medical professionals to show leadership but not in Khon Kaen.

On 11/6/2025 at 8:32 PM, Cameroni said:

I know, it's astounding. The fear and paranoia is ingrained now.

 

It's terrible, you can't see young women's faces...

Masks are not as prevalent as p[eople think ride teh BTS and yes there are people wearing masks.  It is in a lot ocases as an attempt to stay away from people with colds and such as well as a help for the air pollution.

 

Peoplethat were here before covid will remember that masks were allthe rage during pm2.5 cold season.