Hand over mouth in Thailand

I have not read the article in De Volkskrant. So this is just my personal opinion.

I don't think this is a real Thai phenomenon. I think it occurs worldwide. But perhaps also very much in Thailand among teenage girls.

It gives a very relaxed impression or appearance. They feel good about themselves. A little rascally, to attract attention or curiosity. Probably especially towards boys and young men. They see something they find funny and hope that they will be addressed by the person they are looking at. Probably also looking for good – read attractive – (male) company, possibly for friendship or a relationship or just for a “nice date”.

Can also be towards (male) friends, to provoke their reactions or get them 'out of their shell'…

In short, a kind of tactic.
Could also just be without an ulterior motive, just because they are happy.

I think it also occurs within a family atmosphere, for example when 2 sisters joke together in front of their father, for example to get more attention from him or to put him in a good mood.

Whatever it is, it's always cute to watch.

hand over the mouth: is also done if the teeth are not in order and a burst of laughter cannot be avoided.
In Indonesia I see a lot of bad teeth but little laughter.

I also think that there is not much difference between us Farang and the Thais in keeping their mouths shut.
The only difference I could think of is the fact that many Thais may like to hide their emotions.
They may not want to expose their burst of laughter to their funny, odd, or even stupid reaction that caused that laugh.
Moreover, it is not immediately a nice or appetizing look for your opposite to let him / her look far into your neck.
That's why I think it has to do on the one hand with decency towards your interlocutor, and on the other hand perhaps with your own sense of shame not to give another person the opportunity of what you don't want to see yourself.
For me it doesn't have to be a laugh at all, an unabashed yawn where someone opens their mouth often behind their ears, without coming up with the idea of ​​shielding this with a hand, I personally find it very painful.
Even a three-year-old child in Thailand is already taught to cover his mouth when yawning because it does not make a decent or appetizing impression to others.
Would the latter suddenly be different when laughing?

Due to the difference in culture, in my opinion, you see this especially when "others" enter into a conversation with each other, think more of the Western ways that are foreign to them, with friends I see this phenomenon more often, I call it adolescent giggling.

Thais often eat spicy food with a lot of garlic.
Maybe they also do it to cover up their smelly breath, this is what my Thai partner tells me.

In China where I lived for about 17 years and still spend a lot of my time, it is also common for ladies to cover their mouths when laughing. My Chinese wife told me at the time that it is taught by the parents, it is a form of respect, especially towards an older person or richer. Or to hide bad teeth. But it is becoming less and less common, especially in the big cities among the new generation.

Occurs in many more countries in Asia. Especially when (smiling) laughing.. Too bad, because their (smile) smile is so attractive