Can I Drink Tap Water in Pattaya?

Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) pages for Pattaya and nearby service offices publish branch information and monthly notices indicating treated water that meets Thai public-health criteria and WHO-referenced guidance. As in many Thai tourist cities, the practical risk for visitors is often the final building plumbing and storage tank, not only the utility treatment process. Bottled or filtered water is the safer default for drinking, while tap water is generally used for bathing and routine hygiene.

Pattaya is served within the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) system, and PWA branch pages and monthly notices provide official communication on local water quality and service operations. Recent notices emphasize water quality testing and compliance with Thai Department of Health drinking-water quality criteria and WHO-referenced standards, which supports confidence in treated supply at the utility level. For travelers, Pattaya has the same last-mile issue seen in many resort and high-turnover accommodation markets: building plumbing and storage tanks vary significantly. Hotels and condos are not equally maintained, and that can affect taste, sediment, or confidence in direct tap drinking. Because bottled water is cheap and widely available, most visitors use it for drinking and cooking while using tap water for showers, handwashing, and often brushing teeth. Ice in established restaurants and hotels is usually low risk.

Pattaya is easy to manage safely if you use bottled or filtered water for drinking. Tap water is usually fine for bathing and most hygiene needs, and ice in reputable hospitality venues is generally safe. If you are staying in a condominium or rental, ask about filter and tank maintenance. Bottled water is inexpensive and available everywhere, so most short-term travelers simply use that for drinking.