The short answer on water: for a visitor it is simpler and safer to drink bottled or filtered water. Below is what we know about tap water in Bangkok and Phuket, how to handle ice and street food, and what to do about a stomach upset. The data was checked on 19 October 2026.
Can you drink tap water
We found no single official «drink from the tap» answer for visitors. What the sources say:
| Where | What the sources report | What it means for a visitor |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok, MWA area | The Department of Health issued MWA a drinkable tap water certificate valid from 16 June 2025; samples were taken twice at 217 sites: at the plant, at pumping stations and at users’ premises | In the MWA area (Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan) the water was also checked at the user’s end; the announcement says nothing about pipes and tanks inside buildings |
| Phuket, PWA | The provincial waterworks (PWA), Phuket branch: 84 samples for the fiscal year October 2023 - September 2024 met the PWA standard and are fit for consumption | The report tables cover treatment plants; we found no Department of Health «drinkable» certificate for Phuket |
| Village water systems | Department of Health, 2024: 406 of 69,028 systems (0.5%) rated clean | On remote islands and in villages do not count on tap water |
| Samui | We did not check the island’s water supply data | Drink bottled water |
The CDC advises not drinking tap water where it may be contaminated, brushing teeth with bottled or disinfected water and not swallowing water in the shower. Water can be disinfected by boiling, filtering or chemical treatment. The CDC considers unopened factory-sealed bottles and cans safer than tap water, but notes that vendors sometimes refill bottles with untreated water, so check that the cap is sealed.
In practice: in a rental in Phuket buy bottled water or fit a filter, and ask your landlord about drinking water from the tap. The PWA report does not cover this, and every building has its own pipes and tank.
What about ice and drinks
The CDC advises skipping ice where access to clean water is limited, because it may be made from unsafe water. We found no official Thai statement on ice in cafes, so judge by the place. You can ask for a drink without ice with the phrase «mai sai nam khaeng», which is in our guide to the Thai language.
Alcohol is a separate matter. The UK Foreign Office warns that there have been deaths and serious illness in Thailand from alcoholic drinks containing methanol, and that methanol cannot be detected by taste or smell. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers. If someone shows signs of methanol poisoning after drinking, seek urgent medical help and call 1669.
Can you eat street food
The sources differ in tone, and that is the honest picture:
| Source | Position |
|---|---|
| TAT | does not discourage it; pick a busy stall, a freshly cooked dish, avoid anything raw |
| CDC | more cautious: avoid street vendors, and if you eat from them choose food cooked and served hot |
| Government of Canada | «Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it» |
What you can do with that:
- A busy stall with local customers: the food is less likely to have been sitting
- A dish cooked in front of you and served hot: this is where the TAT and CDC advice overlap
- Nothing raw: TAT asks you to avoid uncooked dishes such as raw seafood and shellfish
- Fruit: peel it yourself or wash it in safe water, and the CDC advises skipping cut fruit and fresh salads
- Hands: wash with soap, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if there is no soap
The Department of Health awards the «Clean Food Good Taste» sign (อาหารสะอาด รสชาติอร่อย) to food outlets that meet hygiene standards, based on the 2018 ministerial regulation on food premises. The sign is not everywhere, so do not rely on it alone. What to order and how to pick a stall is in our guide to Thai food.
What to do about a stomach upset
Diarrhoea is the most common illness among travellers, according to the CDC. The CDC and WHO advise drinking plenty of fluids and, in serious cases, using oral rehydration solution, which is sold in pharmacies; details are in our guide to pharmacies in Thailand.
WHO advises seeing a doctor if diarrhoea lasts 14 days or more, or if there is blood in the stool or there are signs of dehydration. According to WHO these are lethargy, sunken eyes and being unable to drink, and for milder dehydration restlessness and marked thirst. If you need a hospital, see hospitals in Phuket and what to check in your insurance. Emergency numbers are collected on the page emergency numbers in Thailand.
FAQ
Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Thailand?
The CDC advises brushing with bottled or disinfected water where tap water may be contaminated. We found no official statement from Thai authorities for visitors about tap water in Phuket hotels. It is simpler to keep a bottle of water in the bathroom and not to swallow shower water, which the CDC also advises.
Is ice in drinks safe?
The CDC advises skipping ice where access to clean water is limited, because it may be made from unsafe water. We found no official Thai data on ice in Phuket cafes. If in doubt, ask for the drink without ice: «mai sai nam khaeng» (ไม่ใส่น้ำแข็ง).
Is it safe to drink from bottles sold on the street?
The CDC considers water from unopened factory-sealed bottles and cans safer than tap water, and fizzy drinks typically safe. But vendors sometimes refill bottles with untreated water, so check that the cap is sealed.
Can I eat cut fruit and salads in Thailand?
The CDC advises peeling fruit yourself or washing it in safe water and avoiding cut fruit, vegetables and fresh salads, because they may have been contaminated during preparation. TAT separately advises against uncooked dishes such as raw seafood and shellfish.
What should I do if I get a stomach upset?
The CDC and WHO advise drinking plenty of fluids and, in serious cases, using oral rehydration solution (sold in pharmacies). See a doctor for diarrhoea lasting 14 days or more, blood in the stool or signs of dehydration: lethargy, sunken eyes, being unable to drink. A doctor or pharmacist chooses the medicine, and our pharmacy guide explains how to find one and describe your symptoms.
Sources
- MWA (Bangkok waterworks). Department of Health drinkable tap water certificate (30 Jun 2025)
- PWA, Phuket branch. Tap water quality confidence report 2024 (fiscal year 2567, Oct 2023 - Sep 2024)
- Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. 3C village water policy (4 Sep 2024)
- Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Clean Food Good Taste Plus sign (16 Aug 2023)
- CDC. Food and drink considerations when traveling (page reviewed 6 Jan 2026)
- CDC. Travelers' diarrhea (page reviewed 3 May 2022)
- WHO. Diarrhoeal disease, fact sheet (7 Mar 2024)
- TAT Newsroom. Useful things to know for safe and enjoyable eating in Thailand (18 Dec 2018)
- TAT Newsroom. TAT offers advice on how to enjoy travelling in Bangkok (28 Oct 2019)
- Government of Canada. Thailand travel advice, Health section (13 Oct 2026)
- UK FCDO. Thailand travel advice: Safety and security (methanol in alcohol)
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