Masked police

[yasorab]

Can anyone tell me why Thai police feel the need to use hospital face masks and sunglasses at roadside checkpoints? I find it deeply worrying that this practice is allowed. People have the right to know who and see who they are dealing with and I find this intimidating to say the very least. Recently where I stay there are a couple of police taken to the use of ski masks now which is even more upsetting in my view. Comments please.

[SpokaneAl]

I suspect that it is to avoid the sun and polution, which is probably a smart move on their part.

[wellred]

If the shoe was on the other foot they would have a hard time identifying someone involved in a crime.

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[impulse]

I suspect that it is to avoid the sun and polution, which is probably a smart move on their part.

+1. Try standing at their post for a few hours and you'll be looking for some protection from the sun and the diesel fumes, too.

When I first came to Thailand, I went offshore and a lot of the guys on the platforms were wearing full face masks. The only time I had ever seen that back home was when the special forces used one of our platforms for a practice counter-terrorism exercise. But after standing on the platform for a few hours, I found myself taking a T-shirt and fashioning it as a full face mask.

[mgjackson69]

A medical mask is not going to stop diesel fumes.

It *will trap particulates.

[DILLIGAD]

People also wear those masks if they have a cold and don't want to spread diseases

[thaiduncankk]

Doctors in hospitals use them for protection too.

It is not the end of the world because their full face is partly hidden for the good of their health.

[mgjackson69]

Much human interaction is non-verbal...facial expressions, etc.

It becomes more difficult to "read" a person when the mouth and/or eyes are not visible.

This can surely be intimidating when it is a person in a position of authority.

Keep your perspective, do not be intimidated.

[mgjackson69]

People also wear those masks if they have a cold and don't want to spread diseases

Yes, sometimes

But I would be confident in speculating that most people who are wearing masks are doing so in the mistaken belief that they are somehow protecting themselves, *not* because they care about their fellow man.

[luxoretired]

protecting themselves from this bitter thai winter weather that i keep seeing on tv ,i mean its really cold out there ! only 23 this morning at 0530 ! can you imagine !

[malt25]

You find it intimidating dealing with a Thai who is wearing a mask.

It appears you might have some insecurity issues. I think mask wearing is pretty much the norm kingdom wide.

[cornishcarlos]

Facemasks !