Thailand To Upgrade From Squat To Sit-Down Toilets

[webfact]

Thailand to upgrade from squat to sit-down toilets

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's health ministry has introduced a new programme to replace squat toilets with the sit-down version at all public facilities, officials said Tuesday.

Deputy Public Health Minsiter Surawit Khonsomboon said the new loo policy was necessary to prepare for the country’s increasingly aged population.

The number of people over 60 years old will reach 14 per cent of the population in 2015, compared with 10 per cent in 2005, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

"We will start by replacing squat loos this month at government buildings, public schools and other public places such as national parks," Public Health Ministry spokeswoman Suchada Salaboon said.

All houses and buildings in Thailand must include toilets, according to an Interior Ministry order dating back decades. Squat toilets are popular, particularly in the rural areas, because they are cheaper that sit-down, flush toilets.

"Now we need to upgrade our toilets a bit," Suchada said.

-- The Nation 2012-06-12

[apetley]

What no hub?

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[Reasonableman]

Upgrade, as in height from the floor? With real plastic seats and lids? Somewhere to chat on the iPhone, read the newspaper, and play games on the iPad in comfort, at last? Somewhere the aged, obese, arthritic and otherwise infirm can actually emerge from unscathed?

Or will it be a high-speed-train-like upgrade from squat toilets to the Japanese-style multiple-push-button bidets now found in some Bkk shopping centers?

Oh frabjous day!!!

Edited June 12, 2012 by Reasonableman

[ginjag]

When will the 20 million delivered and installed ??? 1 2 3 o'clock 4 o'clock plop.

[BookMan]

Just don't take away the Bum Guns!

[GentlemanJim]

Mr Happy Toilet has had a hand in this no doubt. He is an MP now after all.

Chalerms son!

I wonder who is getting the contract to supply all those toilets?

Edited June 12, 2012 by GentlemanJim

[gand]

That is good news.

[hansgruber]

I'll miss the yong yong.

Splashing my fecal matter down the pipe with a slimey bucket with mosquito infested water.

[ginjag]

When I first installed shower and new bog--the old family members asked me if it was dangerous.

[Pib]

Now the ministry didn't say these would be the kind with a water tank and you can flush; so maybe the upgrade will just be a raised version of the squat type (i.e., minus a flush tank).

[gand]

Now the ministry didn't say these would be the kind with a water tank and you can flush; so maybe the upgrade will just be a raised version of the squat type (i.e., minus a flush tank).

So it is a change from squat and drop. to sit and drop? I was hoping for the royal flush.

Edited June 12, 2012 by gand

[ratcatcher]

Has this plan been approved by Mr Chalerms son, Mr Happy Crapper?

[ginjag]

Stop bragging, my Royal flush beats your pair any day, I'll bet on it.

[slapout]

Well with the senior citizen being the reasoning behind this, will they make provisions to handle the large crowds who will venture out of their homes, to access this improvement.

The trend to more people being overweight would probably be better rational, but who am I to argure with a Thai health minister.

[gand]

The next PTP campaign slogan, a throne in every home?

[GarryP]

As much as I dislike the bloody things, they are supposed to be better for evacuation of the bowels.

Now what will happen is that they will raise the things off the floor and we will hear stories of the old folks breaking hips and legs and cracking skulls as they try to squat on those new toilets and fall off. Wouldn't it be cheaper and far more effective to simply add some hand rails on each side of the stall.

[chinook]

everybody'll squat on the plastic seat instead...........personally, I prefer squat down bogs....don't like sitting on a just used placcy seat........least of all in Asia.......so easy to catch Hep etc through small skin abrasions ...........squat downs for me .

[ginjag]

If you install the sit on type it may encourage Thais to read. smoke more. nod off.

Did the Mr happy say how much the new charge for a leakage would cost ??? it will dishearten some people. Here I sit broken hearted paid 5 bht and only !!!!!!!.

[noitom]

Imagine queues once there is a toilet close by. There was no mention of paper and soap, items not usually available in Thai bathrooms. Upscale malls notwithstanding.

[Steely Dan]

I humbly suggest such a move should be accompanied by instructional diagrams as per my avatar.

[bigbamboo]

When will the 20 million delivered and installed ??? 1 2 3 o'clock 4 o'clock plop.

The Chinese have a man on the job right now.... tablets or toilets it's no plobrem as long as you don't mind bog standard.

Did you know it was an Irishman who invented the first toilet seat? Then it was upgraded by an Englishman who put a hole in it.

Edited June 12, 2012 by bigbamboo

[Neurath]

Hmmmm, I wonder who has an interest in the firm(s) that make the toilets.

The population is getting older so let's start the replacement program with public schools. Nice.

[dindong]

Guess who has just bought a large share in a toilet making factory.

Mr.XXXXXXXXXXXXX Sorry name witheld

[ratcatcher]

From 15th century to 21st century

Amazing Thailand.

In fairness, Thailand does not lag behind in the availability of stylish modern sanitaryware. Its just too expensive for the majority of the people.

And on a related note,

Who is Jack Schitt?

The lineage is finally revealed! Many people are at a loss for a response when someone says: "You don't know Jack Schitt."

Now you can intellectually handle the situation:

Jack is the only son of Awe Schitt. Awe Schitt, the fertilizer magnate, married O. Schitt, the owner of Needeep N. Schitt.

They had one son, Jack. In turn, Jack Schitt married Noe Schitt. The Deeply religious couple produced six children: Holie Schitt, Fulla Schitt, Giva Schitt, Bull Schitt, and the twins Deap Schitt and Dip Schitt.

Against her parents objection, Deap Schitt married Dumb Schitt, a high school dropout.

After being married for 15 years, Jack and Noe Schitt divorced.

Noe Schitt later remarried Ted Sherlock and, because her kids were still living with them, she wanted to keep her previous name. She was then known as Noe Shitt Sherlock.

Meanwhile, Dip Schitt married Loda Schitt and they produced a son of nervous disposition, Chicken Schitt.

Two of the other six children, Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt, were inseparable throughout childhood and subsequently married the Happens brothers in a dual ceremony.

The wedding announcement in the newspaper announced the Schitt-Happens Wedding.

The Schitt-Happens children were Daawg, Byrd, Hoarse and Bull.

Bull Schitt, the prodigal son, left home to tour the world. He recently returned from Italy with his new Italian bride, Pisa Schitt.

So now when someone says "You don't know Jack Schitt", You can correct them!

Edited June 12, 2012 by ratcatcher

[bigbamboo]

Guess who has just bought a large share in a toilet making factory.

Mr.XXXXXXXXXXXXX Sorry name witheld

It's not called ShinSit by any chance?

[edwinclapham]

Japanese toilets have been my best experience so far.

[w11guy]

Imagine queues once there is a toilet close by. There was no mention of paper and soap, items not usually available in Thai bathrooms. Upscale malls notwithstanding.

Paper and soap not available in most UK toilets either. Often the toilets in the UK don't even have seats. And visit a music festival in the UK and you'll look forward to coming back to a modern Thai squat toilet.

[MB1]

Imagine queues once there is a toilet close by. There was no mention of paper and soap, items not usually available in Thai bathrooms. Upscale malls notwithstanding.

Paper and soap not available in most UK toilets either. Often the toilets in the UK don't even have seats. And visit a music festival in the UK and you'll look forward to coming back to a modern Thai squat toilet.

I don't know where you live in th UK but I for one don't see what you mention saying, "paper and soap not available in most Uk toilets".

If I did happen to want to use a toilet and there was no paper as I always check especially when in a pub, as on the odd occasion it's run out or some idiot has thrown it on the floor and pi**ed on it or it's been stolen a polite request to staff normally does the job and it's Buisness as usual.

I have seen on the odd occasion a broken or no seat and on the point of music festivals I'll agree with that one.

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[edwinclapham]

Imagine queues once there is a toilet close by. There was no mention of paper and soap, items not usually available in Thai bathrooms. Upscale malls notwithstanding.

Paper and soap not available in most UK toilets either. Often the toilets in the UK don't even have seats. And visit a music festival in the UK and you'll look forward to coming back to a modern Thai squat toilet.

Supermarkets, McDonalds, fast food outlets.. garages.. there is an array of decent toilets that are checked hourly.

[kimamey]

When I first installed shower and new bog--the old family members asked me if it was dangerous.

If the shower was electric I wouldn't be surprised if it was.