🇹🇭 Country Population: 71,800,000

Can I Drink Tap Water in Thailand?

Q: What contaminants are in Thailand tap water?

Monitored contaminants include: Bacteria, Parasites, E. coli, Heavy metals, Chemical pollutants. Thailand's tap water is officially treated but not reliably safe for tourists to drink. The CDC advises against consuming tap water. While water production meets standards, old pipes and infrastructure cause contamination. Bangkok water is technically safer than rural areas, but locals and visitors typically use bottled water. Bottled water is abundant and inexpensive throughout the country.

Caution

2.5/5

Quick Answer

Tap water in Thailand requires caution. While Bangkok's water meets national standards at treatment plants, it travels through aging infrastructure. Tourists should drink bottled or filtered water to avoid illness.

Thailand's tap water is officially treated but not reliably safe for tourists to drink. The CDC advises against consuming tap water. While water production meets standards, old pipes and infrastructure cause contamination. Bangkok water is technically safer than rural areas, but locals and visitors typically use bottled water. Bottled water is abundant and inexpensive throughout the country.

Water Quality Details

Thailand's water authority produces treated water that meets national standards, but the aging pipe infrastructure from source to tap introduces bacterial contamination, parasites, and heavy metals. Bangkok has relatively better water quality than rural Thailand, but even Bangkok residents don't drink tap water regularly. The CDC explicitly recommends bottled or filtered water for travelers. Common contaminants include bacteria, parasites, E. coli, and chemical pollutants. Stomach bacteria unfamiliar to tourists causes gastrointestinal illness even when locals have built immunity. Ice in Thailand is generally safe as most comes from treated sources or factories.

Water sourceMixed sources

TreatmentChlorination, Filtration, Unknown

HardnessModerate

Contaminant Data

Contaminant	Measured	Limit	Status
Bacteria	—	—	OK
Parasites	—	—	OK
E. coli	—	—	OK
Heavy metals	—	—	OK
Chemical pollutants	—	—	OK

Practical Tips

Drink only bottled or filtered water
Avoid tap water for brushing teeth; use bottled water instead
Don't add ice from unknown sources to drinks
Check that water bottles are properly sealed before purchase
Use water purification tablets or bottles as backup
Ice from restaurants and hotels is typically safe
Bottled water costs less than $1 USD for large bottles
Be cautious with street food vendors' water sources

Recommended filters: Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Ceramic, Bottle Filter

Traveler Advice

Risk level: moderate Diarrhea risk: moderate

Pack a portable water filter or purification tablets as backup. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Avoid tap water and ice from questionable sources. Most restaurants use filtered water, so their beverages are generally safe.