Southeast Asia
Can you drink tap water in Thailand?
NoNo, drink bottled
Can you drink the tap water in Thailand?
Don't drink the tap water. Locals don't drink from the tap; use bottled water or cheap coin refill machines. Restaurant ice is factory-made and generally fine.
Tap water by place in Thailand
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | No, drink bottled | The waterworks says tap water is safe at source, but old pipes and condo tanks mean locals use filters, bottles or 1 THB-per-litre refill machines. |
| Phuket | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; restaurant ice is factory-made and generally fine. |
| Chiang Mai | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water; refill machines are on most streets and condo lobbies. |
| Koh Samui | No, drink bottled | Island tap water comes from wells and reservoirs; drink bottled or refill-machine water. |
| Krabi | No, drink bottled | Tap water is not for drinking; bottled water and cheap refill machines are everywhere. |
| Koh Phi Phi | No, drink bottled | Island tap water is not drinkable; buy bottled water or refill. Ice at established restaurants is generally fine. |
| Koh Phangan | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled water or refill stations. Many cafés offer refill by weight. |
| Pai | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled water or refill stations common in guesthouses. Ice in restaurants is usually factory-made. |
| Pattaya | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; refill machines are common near condos. |
| Koh Tao | No, drink bottled | Island tap water isn't drinkable; use bottled water and refill machines. Water supply can run short in dry months. |
| Patong | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled or refill-machine water. Ice at established restaurants is factory-made. |
| Hua Hin | No, drink bottled | Tap water isn't for drinking; use bottled or refill-machine water. Ice from factories is usually fine. |
| Chiang Rai | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled or refill-machine water. Ice is generally factory-made. |
| Ayutthaya | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled water. Ice is generally factory-made in restaurants. |
| Koh Lanta | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled or refill-machine water. Water supply can run short in dry months. |
| Railay | No, drink bottled | Not drinkable; use bottled water or refill points at guesthouses. Water supply can be limited. |
| Kanchanaburi | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; raft guesthouses sell bottles. |
| Koh Chang | No, drink bottled | Island supply is not drinkable; use bottled or refill-machine water at beach shops. |
| Khao Lak | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; ice at restaurants is factory-made and generally fine. |
| Koh Samet | No, drink bottled | Island water is not drinkable; use bottled or refill-machine water. Some beaches have water shortages in dry season. |
| Koh Lipe | No, drink bottled | Island water is brackish and not drinkable; use bottled water, and carry a refillable bottle if refill stations are available. |
| Khao Yai | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; resorts usually provide it. |
| Khao Sok | No, drink bottled | Use bottled or refill-machine water; lodges often provide filtered water. |
| Sukhothai | No, drink bottled | Use bottled or refill-machine water; guesthouses sell bottles cheaply. |
| Hat Yai | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; locals use filtered water at home. |
| Kata Beach | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; restaurant ice is factory-made and generally fine. |
| Jomtien | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; condo lobbies and streets have cheap refill machines. |
| Rawai | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; ice at restaurants is factory-made and generally fine. |
| Udon Thani | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; locals buy filtered water in 20-litre jugs. |
| Koh Kood | No, drink bottled | Island water is not drinkable; use bottled water from resorts and shops. |
| Koh Yao Noi | No, drink bottled | Island water is not drinkable; use bottled or refill-machine water. |
| Khon Kaen | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or refill-machine water; restaurant ice is factory-made and generally fine. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (Immigration Bureau)
- Thailand e-Visa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand
- Speedtest Global Index: Thailand
- World Bank open data
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