Durianwriter Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I've been happiy refilling my water bottles frmo the water refill stations whenever I visit Thailand for years now. But recently I began wondering - who refills those things? Where does the water come from? Is it government run, or a private company? Who decides where to set them up, are they purchased by local businesses? What's the deal with the water refill station? I assume it's safe to drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 They just use the local tap water straight from the mains into a filter inside the machine. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanInBKK Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 They just use the local tap water straight from the mains into a filter inside the machine. Yep, same as those drinking fountains you occasionally see be the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Yep in Bangkok it is just the usual chlorinated municipal water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Stud Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Seriously? Is this the real answer or an assumption? I live in Chiang Mai and have been paying 1 baht for a liter at the machine on my soi for years, and you're saying that I might as well be using my tap? I'm having a hard time accepting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MZurf Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I would be very careful about getting my drinking water from these dispensers. They are privately operated and the cleanliness of the water depends on the integrity of the owner. Think about it.... Better leave it to the frugals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedtripler Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Yep in Bangkok it is just the usual chlorinated municipal water. ive drank it from my kitchen tap once or twice while waking up hungover etc in bkk and never had any ill effects at all never mind stomach problems or diahorrea or diseases ...... usually i drink the bottled stuff but for hot drinks like coffee tap water is fine although it would be boiled first sometimes i wonder if half of the bad press about tap water is to keep the bottled water industry going ........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durianwriter Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 But you say it is filtered? Do you happen to know what the filtration system is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsxrnz Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 But you say it is filtered? Do you happen to know what the filtration system is? Whatever it is, it will be as clean and effective as a 2 month old handkerchief folded in half. . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb17 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I seem to remember reading a newspaper report that the quality of water from these dispensers had been checked by a local authority. The result was two thirds were dispensing water with high levels of bacteria. They need to be serviced regularly . Must admit I buy the bottled water for drinking and cooking and stay away from these machines. Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Old Stud, on 22 May 2014 - 17:45, said:Seriously? Is this the real answer or an assumption? I live in Chiang Mai and have been paying 1 baht for a liter at the machine on my soi for years, and you're saying that I might as well be using my tap? I'm having a hard time accepting this. If you're using a filter, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Stud Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I suppose I could call the number on the side Folded handkerchief? I don't think so. I doubt their integrity would be that low, especially when the locals are also filling up there. They would know, or they would be using their taps instead. Good news after years of drinking that water - continual good health check ups and no diahorrea or nasty diseases. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonjake Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 you can buy the water filters from macro and many building shop, you just plumb it in just before the tap that you want to drink from, they mostly have a 3 chamber filter system jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YipYipYa123 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Is called reverse osmosis, Google it for more info All the 1baht machines use the same system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal65 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 After reading this thread I think I might buy a tap filter, assuming they're not too expensive. Anyone know how much they cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonjake Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 the cost they start at about 1500bht,, up very easy to fit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durianwriter Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 How did you find out it was reverse osmosis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YipYipYa123 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 How did you find out it was reverse osmosis? It says it on the side of the machines when they're new, reverse osmosis and uv filtered water The writing fades off as the machine gets older from Thai weather, rain, sun, humidity so you probably won't it on the older machines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thongkorn Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I would not use them you can get a big bottle for about 20 baht, about 2/3 gallons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedtripler Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I would not use them you can get a big bottle for about 20 baht, about 2/3 gallons. where do you think that probably comes from ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namdocmai Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 We always drink tapwater but have our own filter with UV-light. I don't know how to check if the lightbulb might be broken though. The machine is a Pure from 9000 baht. It is connected to our fridge with icemachine and waterdispenser and that works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durianwriter Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 So is tap water only okay to drink in Bangkok, or other areas too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Presumably an illegally dug well or the klong near by.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medisasean Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I also try filter before. You have to select a good filter to avoid problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namdocmai Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 The filters with UV-light cost a little more but they can kill bacterials and so. The other ones only filter the water. I bought one from Pure because they keep the lightbulb in stock for in case i need one. They have their own shop for that. Homepro and homeworks also sell Pure but if you need a new lightbulb you have to order it, they keep them in stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyG Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 So is tap water only okay to drink in Bangkok, or other areas too? Not OK to drink. It's potable when it leaves the processing plant, but may well become contaminated before it reaches your tap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillSteptowe Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Hi if you live in the Nakhon Sawan area we sell all types of water filters plus the refill cartridges. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OxfordWill Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I bought a filter for the home, and after seeing how dark and disgusting the various stages of the filter go after just one day or so, I have to say I re-thought buying anything but bottled water. But I regularly drink from the machines anyway and Ive never been sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henksteeghsth Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Any water you can drink with a good filter system tap water from government have gloried inside and bacteria from the lines but after filtering its safe to drink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atyclb Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 After reading this thread I think I might buy a tap filter, assuming they're not too expensive. Anyone know how much they cost? I've had a 3 stage filter that I assembled from components purchased at Klong Tom market, Yaowarat, BKK. About 1500 and quality is excellent. The 4 stage systems also cost about 1500 pre-made. I suggest the 4 stage ones already assembled since you should not have to adjust/check for leaks. There is a 5 stage also that has the additional UV chamber. I had a UV chamber but disconnected it as I found it unnecessary. reverse osmosis removes the trace minerals and coffee / tea does not taste good. a good investment. you always have drinking water and dont have to carry it back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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