🇹🇭 City — Thailand

Can I Drink Tap Water in Pattaya-Chonburi?

Q: What contaminants are in Pattaya-Chonburi tap water?

Monitored contaminants include: Lead, Arsenic, Coliform bacteria, E. coli, Cadmium, Nitrates, Manganese, Iron, Residual chlorine. Tap water in Pattaya-Chonburi is treated to Thailand standards, but visitors should use caution. The supply is mainly a mix of surface and groundwater sources with chlorination, coagulation/flocculation, filtration, and water quality can vary by building or neighborhood. Many travelers choose bottled or filtered water for drinking.

Caution

3.0/5

Quick Answer

Tap water in Pattaya-Chonburi is treated but best approached with caution for visitors. Many travelers prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking.

Tap water in Pattaya-Chonburi is treated to Thailand standards, but visitors should use caution. The supply is mainly a mix of surface and groundwater sources with chlorination, coagulation/flocculation, filtration, and water quality can vary by building or neighborhood. Many travelers choose bottled or filtered water for drinking.

Rankings & Comparisons

Safety Overview

Global rank #125 out of 152

Safety rating 3.0/5

Dataset average 3.8/5

Rank in Thailand #5 out of 6

Thailand average 3.0/5

Top Cities in Thailand

1 🇹🇭
Phuket
3.1/5 Caution
2 🇹🇭
Bangkok
3.0/5 Caution
3 🇹🇭
Pattaya
3.0/5 Caution
4 🇹🇭
Krabi
3.0/5 Caution
5 🇹🇭
Pattaya-Chonburi
3.0/5 Caution
6 🇹🇭
Chiang Mai
2.8/5 Caution

Water Quality Details

Pattaya-Chonburi follows Thailand’s drinking water regulations, with supply primarily from a mix of surface and groundwater sources treated by chlorination, coagulation/flocculation, filtration. While treatment is in place, quality can vary at the building level due to storage tanks or older plumbing, and this can affect taste and consistency. Visitors are generally advised to use bottled or properly filtered water for drinking and to be cautious with ice. If you need to use tap water, boiling for at least one minute provides an extra safety margin.

Water sourceMixed sources

TreatmentChlorination, Flocculation, Filtration

HardnessModerate

TDS250 ppm

Taste rating2/5

Taste noteschlorine · metallic · mineral

Contaminant Data

Contaminant	Measured	Limit	Status
Lead	0.015 mg/L	0.01 mg/L WHO	Exceeds
Arsenic	—	0.01 mg/L WHO	Exceeds
Coliform bacteria	—	0 WHO	Exceeds
E. coli	—	0 WHO	Exceeds
Cadmium	—	0.003 mg/L WHO	OK
Nitrates	—	50 mg/L WHO	Exceeds
Manganese	0.44 mg/L	0.4 mg/L WHO	Exceeds
Iron	0.35 mg/L	0.3 mg/L WHO	Exceeds
Residual chlorine	—	—	OK

Practical Tips

🧊 Ice is safe 🪧 Use bottled for brushing 🍽 Restaurant water safe 🔥 Boiling effective 💧 Filter recommended

Use sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
Avoid ice unless you know it was made with purified water
Boil tap water for 1 minute if bottled water is unavailable
Consider a bottle filter or UV purifier for day trips
Stick to cooked foods from reputable vendors
Ask restaurants if their water is filtered or treated

Bottled water~$0.5 USD (Everywhere)

Recommended filtersActivated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Ceramic, Bottle Filter

Traveler Advice

Risk level: Moderate Diarrhea risk: Moderate

In Pattaya-Chonburi, it’s best to use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth, especially during short visits. Ice may be unsafe unless made with purified water. If you’re staying longer, consider a reliable filter or UV purifier.

About one-third of foreign travelers develop diarrhea within 28 days of arrival, with a median onset of 9 days. Risk is highest during the first two weeks. Young travelers, those eating street food, and those with poor hand hygiene face the greatest risk.