Why do many people in Thailand still insist on wearing masks despite the lifting of mandates?

Nov 7, 2022
2 years ago
Dani ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
We are going to wear masks eternally now 😂 I was handled a mask by concerned citizens in BKK just now with a strong recommendation to wear it LOL. This obsession with masks transcends even asian legalism, unbelievable.

Not a rant, just LOL.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the continued prevalence of mask-wearing in Thailand, particularly in urban areas like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, even after official mandates have largely been lifted. While some expats notice a shift towards fewer people wearing masks, many locals continue to wear them due to ingrained cultural habits related to hygiene, pollution, and social norms. There is a humorous undertone to the conversation, with various experiences shared about being offered masks or receiving looks for not wearing one. The participants emphasize differing attitudes between tourists and locals regarding mask usage, reflecting a broader conversation on public health etiquette and personal choice.
Judd **********
Well that escalated quickly! I was in China most of the past 3 years. We wore masks for pollution on days when the AQI showed readings above 70 on the 2.5 micron scale. 2020 they were crazy about masks, 2021 compliance was way down, 2022 it depended on the province. Now they are on the mask train but the virus is sweeping through the country like mad. Since July I have been in Taiwan-August (some old people wearing masks, young people not), Scotland & England - October (no mask use), Saudi Arabia - October (no mask use), Dubai UAE - November (no mask use apart from some Asians at the trade show), Vietnam - December (very few masks). Just comply with the minimum rules required unless you feel otherwise. I would wear a helmet driving a scooter even if the law did not require it. I had a grab driver wearing two masks ask me to put one on in Bangkok last month. I told him I would call another car instead as I am done with that. He relented and let me ride but then kept cleaning his hands with alcohol while driving. like 10x in 5km. Obviously a hypochondriac and should not let the public in his car.
Scot *******
It's still a control issue, and you triggered a lot of people.
Mark **********
Wear a mask, respect the country and its people or go somewhere else it's easy.
Jo **********
@Mark *********
masks are not required here. my relatives are Thai live here born here they stopped wearing masks why should they go somewhere else? are you stupid
John *********
Chinese virus will not disappear over night in the land of smiles, recommend all wear masks in 😷😷😷😷😷😷😷.
Jean *******
@John ********
. Virus has a passport ?
Mark **********
Wear it
Felix ******************************
A mask is a tell-tale sign of an extremely low IQ. It's also a sign of inside the box thinking (programmed psychology)

Weak minds are victim to this programmed sheeple way of thinking. It's quite sad to see but at least it separates the morons from the people who deserve respect.
Jean *******
@Felix *****************************
. Lol. Says the man. With zero education. Your a infectious disease expert. Now your a psychologist.

Where did you study psychology? Tik tok ? Lol. You want to talk about embarrassing.

Jesus Christ please go back to America.
Adnan *******
Please don't be an idiot. Wear masks all the time but yes, you may remove it when having having drink at bars and clubs (covid doesn't attack during that period)

Please respect the laws
Chris *****
@Adnan ******
covid dont attack also on beach , max donalds , and familly merting. 🎉

Forget the Mask , he s unefficient !
Felix ******************************
@Adnan ******
What? The masks are finished. It's over, there is no legal requirement currently. What are you talking about? An idiot? Look in the mirror bro, you've embarrassed yourself to an extensive degree.
Jean *******
@Felix *****************************
. If you don't like it. Go home. Simple
Han ********
Ok, I thought everyone in this group would have an understanding of the current situation so people would have the context to understand a quick and somewhat uncouth comment on my part, but I was wrong. Some people even managed 2020-levels of panic on masks, something that's not really a topic anymore in Thailand.

Because what is the current context: masks are no longer mandated by authorities. Most places have stopped asking for them such as shopping malls, 7-elevens, etc. It's entirely voluntary: if someone feels they want to wear a mask then they can. Some specific places may also still require them for entirely sensible reasons, such as cramped mass transit (Skytrain, etc.) or medical facilities.

We just came out of the Loy Krathong festival, and here in Chiang Mai at least there were extremely few masks to be seen. I'll link to some photos of the event. Even Bangkok-based TV stations have stopped with showing everyone with masks on. So.. it's done!

Now as for the original post, from what context there is you can just politely decline. But it depends: if you're entering their business then clearly it's their rules. Just out in the open air on a street however... you're extremely unlikely to be asked to wear a mask, especially outside of Bangkok. (Bangkok is always the most up-tight on everything, it barely resembles 'Thailand' in that regard. )

********************************************************************************************************************
Jean *******
Go home then with thay attitude they reslly dont want you here.

The balls on you. Coming to their fucking country and talking shit? Especially over a piece of cloth ? Lol

Big big man afraid of a piece of cloth
Charles ****************
@Jean ******
" fucking country"?

What do you mean by that.

Very disrespectful comment.
Charles ****************
Ah. Fcking country means Bafoon. Is this British English?
Jean *******
Felix ******************************
@Jean ******
No, you've got it all wrong. You're the coward for wearing that cloth for a harmless flu. In humid swampy thailand weather, that's utter stupidity 🤣
Jean *******
@Felix *****************************
. A flue doesn't make you convulse. And drown in your own fluids moron. Influenza is not a issue because it is under control. The same as polio. If we followed morons like you we would have death tolls triple what we have now. Longer lock downs. And more economic damage.

You haven't the basic understanding of how any of it works. And why we try to control it.

It not a matter of similarities of the flu.

If the world had. Zero antibodies to the flu. It would wipe us out. Moron. Would u say o its just the flu. If the exact virus could end humanity? No u wouldn't so shut your trap

The name of the game. Is reducing numbers. Shiuld we let it kill 20m people instead of 10m. Cause it shares some symptoms to the flu ? Should we let it run rampant? ANY. NEW VIRUS should be controlled till we can naturally defend against it. If s virus is left to fester and it wipes oit. 1% of the population that had a knock on effect.

Where do we Bury bodies? Where we do house the sick ? ALONG with regular people qith the flu and cancer and aids and gun shots?

Guess what. Loads of other people die BECAUSE we are dealing with a out of control virus. They can't get surgery, they. Can't get emergency care because the hospitals are full.

Or should we just turn away covid patients. Do you know which ones to turn away ? Which ones will die alone at home in the most horrific way ?

Covid is manageable JUST like the flu AFTER. We can reduce its rate of cause serious complications. Getting it and being able to fight it off at home is fine.

BUT at the start of a New virus. 90% OF PEOPLE CANNOT.

People like you are simple minded bafoons who can't see beyond basic bits of information. If you could actually quantify how a simple virus can effect many factors of medical care to create a storm of disaster u would shut your trap.

Or we should.listen to you who can't see past. Your. Toes. You. Without a single degree. Or. Even diploma in the medical field.
Andy *******
@Jean ******
do you over react much ? 🤣😂🤣
Twiggy ******
LOL 😆 My sister and I walked through the wat and all booths last night to see how people celebrated Loy Kra Thong. Saw some others with no masks and no one said a word. Walked home feeling lucky 😁😂 5555.... Was in Makro last week and saw a group of 4 probably Thais with no masks on. Looked like the security staff didn’t stop them. The temperature testing machine with the large tv screen showing the result has been removed. Finally 😁😂😃
Jo **********
i work in Singapore and it’s a bit shocking to see the differences. In Singapore when it was announced that masks are no longer required at first every one wore mask but within weeks it’s down to 10-15%. every time I come back to CM I am shocked to see that nothing has changed.
Terary **********
HAHAHAHAH.. Or that one Farang that doesn't wear a mask while everybody else is wearing a mask.
Chris *****
Funny is , thaï peopole wearing Mask when drive motorbike , but not at party 🤣🤣🤣

Thai peopole cannot think by themself .

Dont wear helmet but Wear Mask 555.

Sad but true...
Jean *******
@Chris ****
ok moron. I wear a mask riding my bike for dust and pollution idiot. I take it off and feel ok enough to take it off at a club because risk is very low and its worth more for me to have a good time.

Places to wear a mask.

Hostpitals.

Pharmacy

Around kids and elderly.

I wear it on the mall because. Why not ? It mskes every one confortable and i generally don't like getting sick with the flu.

But hey why stay here with these morons ? Better go back home rite? America leading deaths in the world during the pandemic. Seemed to work out splendidly for u. To he'll qith these poor stupid thais who's clintry ramained mostly open and had very few casualties. Such udiots. 🤣
Chris *****
@Jean ******
i belt you are from a usa country or border, and u Come thailand only Pattaya look for ladies 😘 with a Big bike rented 1000 baht day, no shirt and skeletton Mask .

And in back of your bike a lady full tatoos mini short.

Did you been out Pattaya once ????
Jean *******
@Chris ****
. England and both my big bike. Truck and. Eco car are paid for in cash. It pays to be. Educated. Thai people. Pay loads and loads to employ. Smart people with masters and PhD. doctors lawyers. Engineers and teachers. They accept some people have spent years training in a field. Like medicine. They also tend to follow their advice. Like wearing masks
Chris *****
@Jean ******
****
also and moooore 😉

I live hère 10years UP , still dont understand why thaï people wear Mask but no helmet...

Ok for dust for healthy

But....what about a motorbike against a 40 tons truck accident ?

No dust in body but head fractured 😈😈😈

This was the sens of my reply.
Jean *******
@Chris ****
the helmet issue is dur to ignorance and old customs and frankly an issue the government should push.

They push for masks cause masks save the government money on a larger scale. Less sick people equal less expense.

They also knew that Thai hospitals would never handle a full blown outbreak. It would have crippled the system.
Charles ****************
Asians have been wearing masks long before the scamdemic.
Twiggy ******
@Cha****
, yes. They wear mask to protect their skin from the sun. I can never wear one as I cannot breathe like that but during the scamdemic I still wore one when required.
Chris *****
@Twiggy *****
Wear Mask for protect skin 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Mouth skin ?
Twiggy ******
@Chris ****
, true. Some cloth masks cover most of the face and the ears too. If I say masks help to protect their ears, I am very right LOL 😂
Charles ****************
@Chris ****
out of politeness, as not to sneeze into others faces.

I don't understand why you laughing.

You think you being Asian, you're correct?

I lived in Japan, HK and Thailand for 35 yrs straight.

That makes me more Asian than you. 😁👍😎
Chris *****
@Charles ***************
heyyy thailand is not china 😉

Before pandemy nobody exept some peopole in Bangkok wear Mask .

Anyway no problem !

Where i live in thailand nobody Wear Mask .

Only 7, macro , and Bank /post office
Charles ****************
@Chris ****
Heyyyy, what's your problem?

Most Asian countries wore masks before the pandemic, including Japan, Hong Kong and Korea.

I don't care if Thailand does or not.

Stop arguing your useless point with me.

Move on.
Chris *****
@Charles ***************
not thaï 😉

Vietnam , china etc ok .

But thailand was free mask
Dave *********
@Chris ****
I used to see lots of Thais wearing masks before the pandemic because of bad air quality ;)
Chris *****
@Dave ********
Bangkok maybe ....or thaï mises with chineses blood ...white skin thai
Dave *********
@Chris ****
Maybe you need to check out the air quality in your area and monitor the fine particulate content which is what sensible people appear to have been doing prior to Covid particularly in high population density areas such as Bangkok and other large conurbations?
Charles ****************
@Dave ********
exactly.

In Japan, common courtesy if you have a cold.

It's culture.
Kool *******
There is nothing unhealthy about wearing a mask. Covid has not gone away. Also, it is documented that with widespread mask wearing worldwide the last two full years, there has been a significant decrease in regular flu cases in those years.
Jean *******
Phil Jones also. So how do you confused drowning in your bodily fluid. cold ? Or are you talking about influenza? Covid kills in nany ways. NONE of which are the same as influenza
Kool *******
@Jean ******
actually the major way both covid, and influenza, kills is by facilitating the onset of pneumonia.
Jean *******
Phil Jones lol. Pls please please explain this to me. Lol. Fuck. You made me spit out my coffee.

So the mask is bad for your immune systen. Cool cool. Do you know what an immune system is and how it works.

Please mate please reply with an answer I'm begging you. Awe man I miss hearing the bat shit crazy stuff you guys say.

Please reply with an answer to how it's bad for your immune system thanks.
Kool *******
Phil Jones if you wear/wore it to bed, umm, conspiracy theorists got you by the gonads into believing that nonsense...lolol
Winston ********
Phil Jones I totally agree. I was on a flight returning from Toronto to BKK. I had a 10.5 hours layover at HK airport. imagine me wearing my ask all through my flight from Toronto to HK, then 10.5 hours at the airport and finally another 3 hours flight to BKK and time to get out of the airport and transport back home in another Province. Keeping that mask on for soooooo long. It was suffocating.
Dave *********
@Winston *******
I'm still alive having arrived just over a year ago with the trip taking around 24 hours door to door. I didn't suffocate. Neither did I suffocate jogging in Bangkok with a mask when we lived there. Guess I must just have been lucky?
Jean *******
@Winston *******
u are aware that's j

In your head rite ? Masks reduce air intake by. 0.3% you think you can feel the difference of 0.3% less air?
Han ********
Yeah, you can just tell them to fuck off. Politely.

Do it to save their country from themselves, as few tourists would want to travel to a place this anal about masks.

Fortunately it's mostly the Siamese lot in Bangkok, and then especially the new Middle Class peeps.
Jean *******
@Han *******
same them selved like America? With leading deaths by a hugeee. Number ? Like that ? Mate fuck off back to your 3rd world banna republic.
Han ********
Ah, another Western-centric term. Thailand is in the Northern hemisphere and isn't at risk of moving South, but whatever, let's have another word for snowwhite western millennials to facilitate their guilt trip.;)
Han ********
Ok I'm genuinely amused at all the assumptions. :D (Please don't block me, this is great.)
David ********
@Han *******
you must be reading your first post in this thread then.
David ********
@Han *******
'Global South' does not refer to geography, it refers to parts of the world that were plundered by people like you who think anyone without white European heritage can't possibly be as smart as a white man like you ... thus we have white Europeans/Americans coming to Thailand thinking the Thais don't know what's best for their own society and culture.
Han ********
Too bad, I don't have a home other than Thailand. This is also why I care this much.

Btw I've now maxed out on baseless woke-speak for the day. Well done. :D
Han ********
Btw, 2020 called, they want their Covid panic back. Today though I've had 4 shots and proudly have the app installed, and I'm done with continued health-theatre.
Han ********
Remember to take your meds. :D
Jean *******
@Han *******
. Meds are fake rite ? It's a conspiracy. Why would I want continued health care.

You however failed to address what I asked you. What makes YOU the expert on masks and diseases? Why can't you answer ? You quick to tell others what is right and what is wrong.

You must have a basis for these instructions. Surely you have a extensive background in microbiology and have conducted research on the matter.

I doubt any one would be so stupid to just say words that have zero backing of even a 1st grade experiment showing why they are saying this.

No way you are that stupid to wake up and declare MASK don't work. Not without even a sliver of proof or theory or understanding. That would be like saying elvis is alive. Hitler is alive and lives in South America. Or there is a pedophile ring in the basement if a pizza place? Even though the building has no basement.
Jean *******
@Han *******
woke ? You live and survive on the achievements of greater men. Anti biotics, modern surgery, insulin, cancer treatments, a whole slew of shit that if you were alive. 500 years ago u would be a pesant and probably be dead by now from.

But a common sense thing like a fucking mask. To reduce droplets and reduce your chance of contracting any droplet based virus Your the expert. You have deemed it pointless.

What research have you done ? Have you performed aerosol tests ? Have you performed maybe a dyed droplet test ? What test have you done that is far superior to men who cure cancer ?

Men far more educated, far more experienced had said the opposite to you. But o no. Ues ull accept their help for cancer or aids or brain surgery. But masks ? They dont know what they are talking about.

Have you ever worked in a infectious disease lab ? A hospital ? Please explain where you get such balls. To declare you. Random No name No body uneducated YOU, are and expert. YOU who knows more than the world around you. What gives such a poorly educated pesant like yourself the the hubris ?
David ********
@Han *******
you should probably just stay home and hone up on your 'white supremacism'!

this is why 80% of the world, the global south, is working toward separating itself from people like you from the West who think he can go to other people's homes and tell them how to live their lives!
Jean *******
@David *******
. White man trying to be a saviour. Not even a diplmoa in health care but a expert. Lol. They dont need your stupid ass telling them how to loge in THEIR OWN FUCKING COUNTRY.
Jim ***********
Thais wear masks on bikes and still no helmet. It's culture
Brett ******
@Jim **********
and when alone in their car🤔
Angelik *******
@Jim **********
at the beginning of COVID I was stopped by a policeman on a bike, he rode past me on a street light and gestured me to stop. He told me to put a mask on. So people wearing it on bikes did not come up with the idea they've been told to do so.
Brad ******
I live in the back country and people are friving scooters by themselves and wearing a mask. No helmut but a mask. I passed a lady and her 2 kids on a back country road. Not a house within half a mile and they all had masks on. Lol. Fresh air or your own Carbon Dioxide.
Jean *******
Phil Jones YOUR TALKING PACKS AND PACKS. OF TOTAL HORSE SHIT.

like asking a 1st grader to explain how the universe works. You have the mind of a child. Just because YOU are unable to mentally work out how things actually work dosent mean you should spew bullshit. YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR, YOU ARE NOT EDUCATED YOU HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING IMPORTANT IN LIFE. Such hubris. Can't even memorise the perodic table but wants to advise on how viruses and germs and masks WHICH WE HAVE USED FOR 200 YEARS in every fucking plague, works.

Yep All of a sudden your dumass uneducated redneck self is suddenly a expert.
Jean *******
Phil Jones snd idiots like you are why people's grand mother died. Fucking selfish waste of space human being.
Jean *******
@Brad *****
lol MASK STOP 0.3% OF SIR INTAKE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO BUILD YP CARBON DIOXIDE. STOP LYING AND SAYING RANDOM SHIT YOU MADE-UP. Moron
Brad ******
@Jean ******
Fuck off Asshole look at the studies and learn to spell. When you breath out you release carbon dioxide. Did you even go to school.
Hovvard ******
@Brad *****
you just contradicted your first comment, fool.
Jean *******
@Brad *****
. Yes ever one breaths our carbon dioxide idiot. YOU implied you were breathing it in. I see critical thinking isn't your strong suite. Yet you seem to be a doctor lol

"Fresh air or carbon dioxide " your words. Lol. But your brain that is wired like a abacus somehow read. We don't exhale carbon dioxide ? I'm gonna miss covid. You guys are hilarious. 😂
Brad ******
Phil Jones I agree I own bikes. But these are on paved roads with no dust.
Brad ******
Your mask is trapping the carbon dioxide therefore you are breathing it back in. 2 completely ignorant idiots.
Hovvard ******
@Brad *****
dont f with Jean...damn.
Petteri **********
Its Asia. People can have allergies or asthma.

I saw masks before covid, but usually associated it with air quality and/or asthma as mentioned.
Petteri **********
I spent my childhood breathing fresh clean air. People in big cities aren’t that lucky.

Who knows the long-term effects on their lungs...

Even cigarette smoke causes issues, maybe not so much in Thailand.
David ***********
You don't have to wear a mask in Thailand, i haven't for 4 months now
Cliff *********
You could just stay home with that attitude
David ***********
@Cliff ********
Nomnuts Thai people are afraid to leave their masks off, I live in kantharalak Sisaket, I've not worn a mask for over 4 months
Cliff *********
@David **********
I’m tired of my patients ending up in the hospital or dying…..up to you.

Why not continue to insult your neighbors and hosts…up to you
Jean *******
@David **********
. I think home is best form you . Mureicaaa. No 1 army. No deaths by police . No 1 debt. No 1 for no proper health care. No one in deaths for covid. Mureicaaaa. Freedummmmmm. Lol
Steve *******
Here in Udon Thani the same. Most people seem to keep wearing the masks. Personally when outside never wear one, when inside a shop or mall then I am happy to put one one on just to be polite.
Have *******
Not enough that you don't have to wear it but everyone else can't either?
Kimberley *********
@Dave ******
wasn’t enough when the fearful were getting jabbed yet still expected everyone else around to get them too…
Have *******
Kimberley *********
@Dave ******
you still scared? 🥺
Ryan ***********
@Kimberley ********
He’s terrified
Billie-Joe ********
Many of these countries wore masks way before covid down to pollution lol, a mask doesn’t mean the locals are scared of covid specifically, they just might walk around the city’s every day and not want to breath in pollution. If you to anywhere out of the cities most people, tourists and locals don’t usually bother now.
David ********
here in Chiang Mai pretty much 99% masks in public, but make were not uncommon here even before because of burning season.

I don't mind really, as I haven't had so much as a sniffle since 2020, so I'll probably continue to wear one now that I'm used to wearing it and you're not considered crazy for sound so.
Petteri **********
@David *******
Chiang Mai is weird for sure.

I arrived 45 days ago, would have thought people loosen up a bit.

Thais are less rebellious!
David ********
@Petteri *********
yeah, they hardly even overthrow their governments more than once a decade ;-)
Alistair **********
I don't get the obsession people have with face masks. Like why does anyone care if others want to wear them. Not once in the last 3 months have I had any weird looks or once been asked to wear a mask in Bangkok.
Lynnette *******
@Alistair *********
they're just a bit neurotic. Call them nappies and childish things like that. I'm not dure I've ever been to a doctor, dentist or vet who would wear a "nappy" on their face.
Michael ********
Thailand is being wierd for that.

Was in Indonesia when they removed restrictions same time as Thailand and Singapore in July. After two months noticed went from 90% of people wearing to about 10 %. In Singapore now and i would say generally about 40 % wearing. Thailand is still mad about masks
Garrett ***********
@Mic****
Almost no one wears them in Vietnam.
Leon ****
95% thais still wear mask. 95% tourists don’t. 95% of the people not gonna say anything, if you don’t have a mask on. Freedom of choice.

I saw a family of five inside CM immigration office don’t have mask on early March this year. No one say anything.
Michael ****************
What about not wearing them. If you are in culture where they wear mask before COVID 19 as part of social hygiene, then just be part of it.
Lynnette *******
This fear of masks by various grown ups is quite amusing. My vet wears one and I've managed to cope with the distress of it. Lol
Scot *******
It's the fear of the air that is a joke.
Lynnette *******
@Scot ******
my vet isn't afraid of air. Nor is the nurse at the hospital. They don't want to spread aerosol germs etc into a wound or onto patient. Its been well known to help reduce infection rates.
Scot *******
Yes, it is lack of understanding. Also, people on the street are not undergoing surgery by other people on the street. And the concern there is bacterial infection, not viral. It is well known that masks do not work for a virus, or this virus. You don't have to fear the air. Why do you fear the air?
Lynnette *******
@Scot ******
air? Why is anyone afraid of air? Perhaps lack of understanding is the issue.
Pauline *******
In Hanoi recently as some Vietnamese ladies were passing us one grabbed a mask from her bag and held it in front of her face! Diseased foreigners everywhere😄
Dani ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pauline ******
yes a few ppl did the same here in BKK when I was around 😂
Henry *********
I was in Bangkok recently and never wore a mask and noticed quite a few Thais doing the same, even on the BTS. Until people start doing the same it will take ages to change people's mentality, although I have no problem if they wish to continue to do so.
Christopher *******
On Samui most faces are mask free. Bangkok is weird
Christopher *******
@Lyndon ***********
thank God.

It's sad the harm these masks are doing to kids. All for a false sense of security
Lyndon ************
@Christopher ******
most of Thailand's local government, still promote the wearing of masks. Samui and other tourist areas/islands are very much the exception to the rest of Thailand
Stuart *********
Many places now allow you to go face nappy free. Even if they do you’ll see 99% of Thais wearing them (depends on what area you’re in but most cities for sure).

Government offices still require them. Private places can choose their own policies.
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