Can I Drink Tap Water in Phuket?

PWA Phuket publishes local branch information and monthly water quality updates, and PWA notices state treated water is supplied to standard and aligned with Thai drinking-water criteria and WHO-referenced guidelines. In practice, Phuket visitors typically use bottled or filtered water for drinking because accommodation plumbing, storage tanks, and local maintenance conditions can affect taste and reliability at the tap. Tap water is generally acceptable for bathing and brushing teeth in established hotels.

Phuket is served by the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), and official PWA communications for the Phuket branch publish water-quality notices and branch service information. Recent PWA monthly updates emphasize that supplied water is produced to standards and references used in Thailand (including Department of Health criteria and WHO guideline benchmarks). That supports the view that the municipal supply is treated rather than unsafe by default at the production stage. For travelers, the bigger risk is usually the building, not the utility. Phuket has a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to budget guesthouses and villas, and the last-mile plumbing and storage tanks are not equally maintained. This can produce chlorine-heavy taste, sediment, or inconsistent tap quality, especially after outages or low-use periods. Because bottled water is cheap and easy to buy across the island, most visitors use bottled or filtered water for drinking while using tap water for showering, handwashing, and often brushing teeth.

Phuket is straightforward for safe hydration if you follow common traveler practice: drink bottled or filtered water, but use tap water for bathing and normal hygiene. Most hotels provide complimentary bottled water or have easy access to convenience stores. Ice in reputable venues is usually fine. If you stay in a private villa or long-term rental, ask about water tank cleaning and consider a portable or countertop filter.