And, as I’ve found since recently returning to Thailand for the first time during the pandemic, after dozens of visits in the past 20 years, the severe rules are creating both odd (on a recent trip to Pattaya, swimmers wore masks in our resort pool) and distressing situations.
I would not describe myself as anti-mask, but even I was flummoxed when my two-year-old boy was left in tears after being rejected from a Bangkok indoor play centre because he wouldn’t, and realistically couldn’t, wear a mask. As my son stared at the slides and rides, jumping in anticipation, staff told me he would have to cover his face during his entire visit or he’d be evicted.
Like many rambunctious boys his age, he refuses to keep a hat on his head, annoyed by its presence, so the chances of him wearing a mask for an hour straight hover near zero.
While thankfully two other Bangkok play centres…
