scottishjohn Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Maybe they will offer a free glass of water to make you visit them more often! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post onthedarkside Posted July 12, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted July 12, 2014 If I am out and about in town and suddenly get the call of nature, I just walk into any of the nice tourist hotels that always have very posh VIP status toilets in their reception areas. Being a farangy I have never been challenged. I just blend in with all the other farangs walking in and out, they have no idea whether I am a guest or not, no one gives me a second glance and no one ever asks. Sometimes being a pale face in Thailand can have it`s advantages. Nothing beats a five star pee for free. Used this technique all over the world for many years of travelling. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stament Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I'm used to paying 5 baht in bars that didn't have toilets a few years back. Sounds like a good deal to me. If you need to go pay it, you do not want an accident! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Just pee in a Beer Singh tower & see if anyone notices 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank James Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 In Chiang Mai there's always a wat close by, and most of them have free toilets, usually the older style with the imbedded footprints, water pail, and swarms of mosquitoes. Sometimes there's a donation box, or a seated person to accept your coins. Whatever the facility, it does cost money to maintain these rooms. On the whole, even if you have to pay a few baht, the public toilet situation in Thailand is much better than in the USA. At a gas station/minimart combo, you have to request a key, which is conspicuously large, and given to you with a sigh of disgust. Once I was in a big supermarket and needed to go. I asked the assist manager, who said there was no restroom for the "Gen'rul Pub-lick." Thanks for the thread. I must remember to carry a few coins with me, just in case. However, as others have noted, these pay toilets have been in place at Anusarn and Galare all along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymouse Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Good thing you are not trying to go to a London underground station toilet, that they charge 20pence to go in........ Yes, the ones at Paddington have turnstiles which is great if you've just got off the Heathrow Express and have luggage with you. Really thought it through they have. I was on the SouthBank a few weeks ago and they were charging 50p! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 If places in the U.S. were charging the equivalent of 50 pence (about 90 cents U.S.) then there would be a lot more public toilets in the U.S. As Frank James said, this is a big problem in the U.S. It's a real delight in Thailand to find every nearly every highway petrol station with a reasonably clean public toilet and no need to play "mother-may-I" to ask for a key to gain entry to a room that hasn't seen a cleaning product in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apetley Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Alot of these places, markets, bus stations etc actually put the running of their toilets out to tender, hence the charge. I heard a figure of 100k bht was the winning bid for the large bus station near where I live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daoyai Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 no money no dunny 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaptainrob Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 No way I'd bust a big note for a 3 Bt pee. Pee free, against a tree or a wall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobin Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I've used the facilities at various Wats around the city. Always a pleasure, and payment only voluntary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stament Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 If places in the U.S. were charging the equivalent of 50 pence (about 90 cents U.S.) then there would be a lot more public toilets in the U.S. As Frank James said, this is a big problem in the U.S. It's a real delight in Thailand to find every nearly every highway petrol station with a reasonably clean public toilet and no need to play "mother-may-I" to ask for a key to gain entry to a room that hasn't seen a cleaning product in years. I agree. In the UK if you're out your choice is limited when driving - the service stations have them yes, but many regular petrol stations don't have toilets for the general public. Normally means you have to pull over and go against a bush with your car doors covering you. Certainly the case for kids who can't hold on. McDonalds is a favourite for free toilets but some of them you need to get the key. For me when I'm in England and out and about I normally head straight to the bookmakers if I need a leak! One of the few places that don't mind non-customers using. Restaurants aren't keen for obvious reasons and that leaves just the ones in department stores, McDonalds or a pub if you don't know where the public toilets are or aren't near them. I don't mind paying at all, much more preferable to me than lack of availability, i.e. closures of unkept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Good thing you are not trying to go to a London underground station toilet, that they charge 20pence to go in........ Yes, the ones at Paddington have turnstiles which is great if you've just got off the Heathrow Express and have luggage with you. Really thought it through they have. I was on the SouthBank a few weeks ago and they were charging 50p! But you were going in the famous, mighty River Thames 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thakkar Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Its just the inconvenience of finding 3 baht coins that irritates me. I've solved that problem, killing two birds with one stone. I give them twenty baht and get a card that they chop. The seventh trip is discounted, and the eight trip is free. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thakkar Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I always cheat the system by taking a dump instead. ONG! That was YOU. Please flush next time. And by the way, may I say how impressed I was at the extent to which you got your money's worth. T 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaamNaam Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 No way I'd bust a big note for a 3 Bt pee. Pee free, against a tree or a wall. If you are busting for either number one or twos no Thai on earth will deny you entry. Just make that face that you will shit your pants if not allowed in. Done it a few times, and always make a point of coming back to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolkun Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 The problem with paid toilets is that it discourages their use. I was at the night market with my son not too long ago, and when we asked where the nearest toilet was, the vendor said the fence out back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiengmaijoe Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share Posted July 12, 2014 Chiengmaijoe, your profile says you've been a member just since 2013. Perhaps that's when you came to Chiang Mai, so you can be forgiven not knowing that a 3 baht charge for a public toilet is standard at the markets like Warorot, Tanin, in the bus station, train station, etc. Anyone who's been here for any length of time knows not to venture out without a few small coins and some tissue. My goodness, I can see the need for me to adopt a "nom de pee" and do "The Nancy P Toilet Map of Chiang Mai" is greater than I thought. 25 years and counting. Enough time to see the transition from filthy stinky public toilets everywhere, including restaurants, to mostly clean toilets , very often with proper tissue and occasionally hot air hand dryers. I know that most local markets and bus stations still charge but nowadayss most toilets at tourist spots are now clean and free. That's why I was surprised to see Galare bazaar buck the trend and after years of offering free toilets, start to charge for the exact same mediocre toilets. I suppose times are hard for them and despite the investment, those 3 bahts must add up. Why they went for full body turnstiles is beyond me. Did they really expect people to try to slide under or jump over the bar? The first places to offer clean , free toilets were the likes of Big C and Airport Plaza ( they did charge initially but soon followed suit) and gas stations eventually followed suit. Of course the other funny thing about this was hearing an expat moan about the 3 baht charge and saying that he sometimes doesn't come into town because of 'this sort of thing'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiengmaijoe Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share Posted July 12, 2014 In Chiang Mai there's always a wat close by, and most of them have free toilets, usually the older style with the imbedded footprints, water pail, and swarms of mosquitoes. Sometimes there's a donation box, or a seated person to accept your coins. Whatever the facility, it does cost money to maintain these rooms. On the whole, even if you have to pay a few baht, the public toilet situation in Thailand is much better than in the USA. At a gas station/minimart combo, you have to request a key, which is conspicuously large, and given to you with a sigh of disgust. Once I was in a big supermarket and needed to go. I asked the assist manager, who said there was no restroom for the "Gen'rul Pub-lick." Thanks for the thread. I must remember to carry a few coins with me, just in case. However, as others have noted, these pay toilets have been in place at Anusarn and Galare all along. They're definitely new at Galare bazaar, I have used them before on nights I go to Boys bar, and you'd certainly remember the 7 foot tall turnstile if it was there before. It reminded me of the days in the 70s when I used to be a regular at Anfield. Anusarn and Galare bazaar are both owned by Chiang Mai's biggest property holder and one of Thailand's wealthiest people, Mr Charoen of Chang beer fame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymouse Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Good thing you are not trying to go to a London underground station toilet, that they charge 20pence to go in........ Yes, the ones at Paddington have turnstiles which is great if you've just got off the Heathrow Express and have luggage with you. Really thought it through they have. I was on the SouthBank a few weeks ago and they were charging 50p! But you were going in the famous, mighty River Thames I used the facilities in the Royal Festival Hall, the Thames would have been an option if it had been a bit less crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernjohn Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 No way I'd bust a big note for a 3 Bt pee. Pee free, against a tree or a wall. Side by side with a tuck tuck driver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2 Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 re I was at the night market with my son not too long ago, and when we asked where the nearest toilet was, the vendor said the fence out back. great .. if you want to risk being electrocuted out the back dave2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naboo Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I've used the facilities at various Wats around the city. Always a pleasure, and payment only voluntary. I generally head to Wat Pra Singh when the time comes. Donation suggested, and the old lady screams at the Chinese 'MONEY MONEY!' Very nice toilets. Beetlejuice's idea of hotels is good, I've used their pools before but never thought of them as a toilet stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
true blue Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 In Chiang Mai there's always a wat close by, and most of them have free toilets, usually the older style with the imbedded footprints, water pail, and swarms of mosquitoes. Sometimes there's a donation box, or a seated person to accept your coins. Whatever the facility, it does cost money to maintain these rooms. On the whole, even if you have to pay a few baht, the public toilet situation in Thailand is much better than in the USA. At a gas station/minimart combo, you have to request a key, which is conspicuously large, and given to you with a sigh of disgust. Once I was in a big supermarket and needed to go. I asked the assist manager, who said there was no restroom for the "Gen'rul Pub-lick." Thanks for the thread. I must remember to carry a few coins with me, just in case. However, as others have noted, these pay toilets have been in place at Anusarn and Galare all along. They're definitely new at Galare bazaar, I have used them before on nights I go to Boys bar, and you'd certainly remember the 7 foot tall turnstile if it was there before. It reminded me of the days in the 70s when I used to be a regular at Anfield. Anusarn and Galare bazaar are both owned by Chiang Mai's biggest property holder and one of Thailand's wealthiest people, Mr Charoen of Chang beer fame. your right mate there all shit houses,and analfield is the biggest of them all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiengmaijoe Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share Posted July 12, 2014 In Chiang Mai there's always a wat close by, and most of them have free toilets, usually the older style with the imbedded footprints, water pail, and swarms of mosquitoes. Sometimes there's a donation box, or a seated person to accept your coins. Whatever the facility, it does cost money to maintain these rooms. On the whole, even if you have to pay a few baht, the public toilet situation in Thailand is much better than in the USA. At a gas station/minimart combo, you have to request a key, which is conspicuously large, and given to you with a sigh of disgust. Once I was in a big supermarket and needed to go. I asked the assist manager, who said there was no restroom for the "Gen'rul Pub-lick." Thanks for the thread. I must remember to carry a few coins with me, just in case. However, as others have noted, these pay toilets have been in place at Anusarn and Galare all along. They're definitely new at Galare bazaar, I have used them before on nights I go to Boys bar, and you'd certainly remember the 7 foot tall turnstile if it was there before. It reminded me of the days in the 70s when I used to be a regular at Anfield. Anusarn and Galare bazaar are both owned by Chiang Mai's biggest property holder and one of Thailand's wealthiest people, Mr Charoen of Chang beer fame.your right mate there all shit houses,and analfield is the biggest of them all. An invaluable contribution. Keep them coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishjohn Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 "Why they went for full body turnstiles is beyond me. Did they really expect people to try to slide under or jump over the bar? Maybe they are just cast offs from an other enterprise which the local manager thinks is a good idea to put there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaptainrob Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Increasing demand for a NancyL "Pee Free" map ? ... 5555 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Why not just use any 7-11 and save three baht? They all have toilets in the back, all you need to do is ask. And before anyone starts, it's three baht now, but don't come crying back here when it gets upped to the inevitable 5. Edited July 13, 2014 by WinnieTheKhwai 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opalred Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 fill the moat up like others do cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 fill the moat up like others do cheers You've got quite a "range" if you can reach the moat from Galare 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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