"It's good to do nothing"

[luv2fly]

'It’s good to do nothing’: why hundreds gathered to sit still on one Bangkok weekend

Responding to a Facebook event which promised a chance to ‘escape’ the screen, young people turned out in Thailand’s capital to spend an hour being ‘useless’

Natasha May

Bangkok is a city thrumming with an energy you can feel from its skyscrapers to the street, but an invitation last week to change the pace and do nothing drew hundreds to the lush green oasis in its centre.

On beanbags, fold up chairs and picnic mats in Lumphini Park on 4 July, people laid back looking at the sky, while others sat upright facing the lake. One examined a twig, a few dozed off and only a handful checked their phones.

There was no talk, only the squawk of the birds and the rustle as ancient monitor lizards slithered along the banks.

Drawn in by a Facebook even that invited people to “sit still and do fucking nothing”, about 300 turned out with the promise to “escape your screen” and “protest capitalism”, or simply “spend an hour being completely useless to the country’s GDP”

*snip*

More at:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/11/its-good-to-do-nothing-why-hundreds-gathered-to-sit-still-on-one-bangkok-weekend

[Tanuki]

1. In Bali, they observe a holiday called Nyepi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyepi

"Nyepi (Balinese: ᬜᬾᬧᬶ ), also known as Day of Silence, is a Balinese holiday held every Isakawarsa ("new year" ) according to the Balinese calendar, and it can be traced as far back as 78 A.D.[1]
....
Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the following day, Nyepi is dedicated to self-reflection, fasting, and meditation. During this period, activities that may interfere with this purpose are prohibited, including work, travel, and entertainment or leisure activities. The use of fire and artificial lighting is restricted, resulting in minimal electricity use, and residents and visitors are required to remain indoors across the island of Bali.[7]

As Bali's usually bustling streets and roads become empty during Nyepi, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are visible inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are followed.[8]

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents and tourists are not exempt from the restrictions. Although they are free to do as they wish inside hotels, no one is allowed onto beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. Tourists who violate these rules can face deportation.[9]".... (more)