Commons & Bonfire, a community collective and event organiser, will host an event titled “Do F***ing Nothing” this Saturday from 17:00 to 18:00 at Lumphini Park.
The event offers participants a chance to pause from the hustle and bustle of daily life by spending 30 minutes sitting in silence without engaging in any activity. The session will be followed by an optional 30-minute discussion circle for those interested in sharing their experiences.
The event has attracted widespread attention on social media after organisers invited anyone wanting to rest their minds, step away from screens, escape the pressure to be constantly productive, or even “be a burden on the country’s GDP for one hour” to join. The session will be free from mobile phones, books, notebooks and other distractions.
Following overwhelming interest, Commons & Bonfire said it had expected some public interest but had not anticipated such a large response. Organisers said they were both excited and concerned about the turnout, and released participation guidelines to ensure the public space could be shared safely and respectfully.
Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to find a comfortable place to sit. At 17:00, they should set a 30-minute countdown timer and spend that time simply “being with stillness.”
Participants are asked not to use mobile phones, read books, listen to music, write notes or chat during the session. They may sit quietly, daydream, meditate or even lie down if they wish. Anyone who feels uneasy is free to leave at any time without feeling pressured to stay or prove anything.
After the 30-minute session concludes, participants may choose to remain seated, leave the park or socialise with fellow attendees. Organisers suggest forming small groups of three to five people to discuss two questions: “Why did you come to sit still?” and “What happened while you were doing nothing?” Those who prefer not to take part in the discussion are welcome to leave immediately.
To accommodate the large number of expected attendees, organisers have designated two meeting points within Lumphini Park: one beside the park’s water monitor lizard statue and another on the lawn near the Chinese pavilion. Participants are also asked to spread out if either area becomes overcrowded to avoid disturbing other park users.
Organisers stressed that the event requires no registration and is free of charge. There will be no guest speakers, ice-breaking activities, networking sessions, exercises, learning outcomes, or opening and closing ceremonies. Participants can simply begin the activity together at 17:00.
Attendees are also asked to follow Lumphini Park’s regulations by not smoking, littering or consuming alcohol, and to avoid disrupting other park users. Those who wish to take photos or create social media content are advised not to photograph other people’s faces without their consent.
Commons & Bonfire warned that participants may encounter hot weather, possible rain, music from aerobics sessions, large crowds and even the park’s resident monitor lizards. Organisers encouraged participants to take care of themselves, look out for one another, and move to another location or seek assistance if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
For those unable to travel to Lumphini Park, Commons & Bonfire said the concept belongs to no one. Anyone who wishes to host a “Do F***ing Nothing” gathering elsewhere, or at another date and time, is free to replicate the idea. While organisers are willing to help facilitate meeting points through a Line OpenChat group, no permission is required.
Ultimately, organisers said their goal is for “sitting quietly” to become a simple activity that anyone can initiate on their own.
Commons & Bonfire is a community collective and event organiser dedicated to creating spaces for people to meet, learn and experiment with new forms of social interaction. “Do F***ing Nothing” reflects the idea of encouraging people to take a break from the relentless pace of life, let go of the pressure to constantly achieve or produce, and reconnect with themselves.