Nowhere to hide: Face masks required in all 77 Thai provinces
You hate them. We hate them. We all hate wearing them. You hate endless reporting on them. We hate writing over and over about it. But… Face masks. They are no longer optional anywhere in Thailand.
First face masks became compulsory in a few places, then 31 provinces. Phuket even singled out “problem foreigners” refusing to wear masks. Soon 54 provinces implemented mask mandates. Then 63 provinces, as authorities showed people they were serious by started enforcing and cracking down on violators.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand announced – while including a complete list of all 77 provinces of Thailand – that face masks are required to be worn in public, indoors and outdoors, at all times. And the rule is being enforced with fines of up to 20,000 baht. First offences are 6,000 baht and escalate quickly for repeat offenders with 2nd offences paying 12,000 baht and after that 20,000 baht for a third offence.
21 people died of Covid-19 today in Thailand with over 1,800 new infections recorded, a rise after a week of daily decreases. over 67,000 people have contracted Covid-19 in Thailand and 270 people are on ventilators at the moment of this writing.
Whatever your personal beliefs on face masks might be, regardless of the science even, wearing a face mask is now the law in every corner of Thailand. You are not special, you do not get an exception. PM Prayut did not even get an exception. Just wear your face masks people!
The TAT also stressed that all travellers should follow their DMHTT scheme to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- D – Distancing
- M – Mask wearing
- H – Handwashing
- T – Temperature check
- T – Thai Chana contact tracing application.
Here’s a list of provinces requiring face masks in public now. (Hint: it’s all 77 of them.)
| NORTHEASTERN REGION Amnat Charoen Bueng Kan Buri Ram Chaiyaphum Kalasin Khon Kaen Loei Maha Sarakham Mukdahan Nakhon Phanom Nakhon Ratchasima Nong Bua Lam Phu Nong Khai Roi Et Sakon Nakhon Si Sa Ket Surin Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani YasothonCENTRAL REGION Ang Thong Ayutthaya Bangkok Chai Nat Lop Buri Kanchanaburi (only at markets, flea markets and floating markets) Nakhon Nayok Nakhon Pathom Nonthaburi Pathum Thani Phetchaburi Prachuap Khiri Khan Ratchaburi Samut Prakan Samut Sakhon Samut Songkhram (voluntarily) Saraburi Sing Buri Suphan Buri | NORTHERN REGION Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Kamphaeng Phet Lampang Lamphun Mae Hong Son Nan Nakhon Sawan Phayao Phetchabun Phichit Phitsanulok Phrae Sukhothai Tak Uthai Thani UttaraditEASTERN REGION Chachoengsao Chanthaburi Chon Buri Prachin Buri Rayong Sa Kaeo Trat SOUTHERN REGION |
SOURCE: Pattaya Mail and Tourism Authority Thailand
