Thai Prime Minister Fined for Not Wearing Mask Alone for the First Time

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of Thailand, has been fined for not wearing a mask. He is the first person to be fined since the mask regulations were strengthened.

According to the Washington Post on the 27th, Aswin Kwanmuang, the Mayor of Bangkok, announced on Facebook the previous day that "Prime Minister Chan-o-cha has agreed to pay the fine."

Earlier that day, a photo of Prime Minister Chan-o-cha attending an emergency meeting regarding vaccine procurement without wearing a mask circulated online. He was the only attendee not wearing a mask.

Following the controversy, the Thai government deleted the photo. Prime Minister Chan-o-cha has not made any public comments regarding the issue.

Mayor Kwanmuang stated, "The Prime Minister inquired with Bangkok city whether he had violated any quarantine rules," and added, "He met with police officers together."

As COVID-19 cases surged during the third wave, Bangkok closed public facilities for two weeks starting the previous day and mandated mask-wearing in indoor and outdoor public places as well as in transportation with two or more passengers.

The Washington Post explained, "Prime Minister Chan-o-cha is the first person to be fined since the mask regulations were strengthened."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.