In ghe UK I can buy from Boots. But not here in Chiang Mai. Any ideas folks? Needed by weekend

I would advise against this. These are emergency chemicals to be used in situations where you have no other option but to drink from a contaminated source such as a river or stream. As there can be all kinds of other things in there, and because it will end up tasting horrible, you really do not want to do this in place where you can just use bottled water.

So unless this is an expedition deep into Burma, just buy/bring bottled water.

Edited February 24, 201115 yr by CheGuava

Iodine comes in either liquid form or tablet form.

One to two tablets or drops will clear up a quart of water. Shake your container and wait twenty minutes before drinking. Water treated with iodine will have a darker color and a bit of an unpleasant flavor.

It is possible to mask this flavor by adding a powdered drink mix, but be sure to wait the twenty minutes before adding it, as it will interfere with the iodine’s effectiveness.

Other chemical treatments that work similarly to iodine are chlorine tablets, potassium permanganate, or halazone tablets. You should be able to pick these up fairly cheaply at most outdoor stores.

I had the same problem trying to get a hold of these a few years ago for a trip to Cambodia. If I remember right we had to bring them in from the UK/States. This off-course will be too late for you.

For future reference you can buy them on ebay http://www.amazon.com/Quake-Kare-2GQK-Purification-Tablets/dp/B0007VSLK8

Iodine works. But how about using what the locals in the area use, most likely boiled water.

Iodine works. But how about using what the locals in the area use, most likely boiled water.

The locals as you say very seldom if ever boil water. The use very large cisterns, large clay pots to collect rain water for consumption. Even in the city if you look close you will see these under the eves of roofs. When you go out side of town it is common to see 12 to 24 of these cisterns at a house.. For internal drinking they prefer Lao Khao.

Iodine works. But how about using what the locals in the area use, most likely boiled water.

The locals as you say very seldom if ever boil water. The use very large cisterns, large clay pots to collect rain water for consumption. Even in the city if you look close you will see these under the eves of roofs. When you go out side of town it is common to see 12 to 24 of these cisterns at a house.. For internal drinking they prefer Lao Khao.

Gotlost, you know where ianf is going???

He's not talking about CM. I bet he's not planning on using the water purification tabs in Thailand at all. he just needs to know where to buy them here.

Iodine works. But how about using what the locals in the area use, most likely boiled water.

The locals as you say very seldom if ever boil water. The use very large cisterns, large clay pots to collect rain water for consumption. Even in the city if you look close you will see these under the eves of roofs. When you go out side of town it is common to see 12 to 24 of these cisterns at a house.. For internal drinking they prefer Lao Khao.

Gotlost, you know where ianf is going???

He's not talking about CM. I bet he's not planning on using the water purification tabs in Thailand at all. he just needs to know where to buy them here.

It is the weekend so I hope he found them or has some Lao Khao.

They have them here. I don't know the name of the chemical. The government distributes them for free in some of the moobaans and/or villages out of the city.

Edited February 26, 201115 yr by elektrified

Lots of useful advice: Thanks. I didn't know about Iodine, but I've now got some. I'll be in remote parts of Burma on the bicycle. I need lots of clean water.

Lots of useful advice: Thanks. I didn't know about Iodine, but I've now got some. I'll be in remote parts of Burma on the bicycle. I need lots of clean water.

Glade you found them. Lets know the source. Have a good trip.

Where did you find actual Iodine tablets ?

or did you find potassium Iodide tablets instead? that is what is more readily available in thailand...mostly at hospitals and the govt gives it to people in poor villages. The only stuff sold at most pharmacy is the cleaning disinfectant iodine-povidine and in some places the iodine/potassium iodide tincture that you could use to treat dirty water.

Edited June 4, 201115 yr by bf2002

Iodine is also good but can not kill Cryptosporidium that in Thailand have problem about it, when you drink water that have Cryptosporidium you will not immediately sick but around 4 days later you will have diarrhea and use iodine with clear water , if not clear you have to purifiate by some cloth first then iodine.

Another way you can ask about Aquamira water purifer tablet, I think in Mcnett brand that they make here, use one tablet for 1 lite water, they have also aqumira fiter that you can use for a lot of water (75 lites and 200 lites) price in internet about 450 baht for 75 lites and 800 baht for 200 lites.

They sell also at Chiang Mai Achery.

Is it chlorinedioxide (CIO2) that you are looking for?