webfact Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Thailand – the hub of brilliant toilets By Gerry Carter Pictures: Gerry Carter BANGKOK: -- Some people critical of Thailand are constantly banging on about the country being “third world” without a hope of joining the club of developed nations any time soon. But those spouting these weary and predictable condemnations have clearly never been in some of the restrooms at Bangkok’s upmarket and swanky department stores. For these toilets are anything but third world and would put to shame the very best that Western nations could muster. In fact it would be no surprise to see the Tourism Authority of Thailand promoting the country as a center of sanitary and relief driven excellence in the near future. Take for example the extraordinary restrooms now on every floor at the Central Westgate shopping center in Bang Yai, Bangkok. Approaching the lavatories it is immediately clear that this is going to be a memorable experience whether your business is number ones,number twos, whether you are male or female, young or old. The first thing you are aware of as you approach is a suite of rooms for breastfeeding mothers. Inside it is luxurious with cushions and cubicles and places to change babies’ nappies. Few five star hotels or international airports would have anything like these facilities let alone shopping centers. Naturally there is a well-appointed toilet for the handicapped or infirm. Along with all the usual bars and trappings you would expect is an emergency button that calls an attendant in the event of trouble. A flashing light outside warns that the occupant might be in difficulty. While the roads in Thailand may be somewhat dangerous there is little danger in falling victim to an unexpected event in these surroundings. The ladies and gents are spotlessly clean; as you enter a cleaning lady who is clearly immensely proud of her facilities utters a polite Thai greeting to all who have business there with offers of help should anyone need anything. Best of all for parents is a specially appointed area for young children with “Boy” and “Girl” sections. The urinals and bowls are low down as are the taps for that all important wash of the hands afterwards. Any child would be thrilled to have their own place to “spend a baht” – it promotes independence and means children don’t have to go with parents to adult loos that can be problematical especially for fathers with girls. But the very best thing about Central’s restrooms has to be the waiting area outside – while not wishing to be sexist in any way it is often men that have to mill around outside the ladies’ waiting for wives and girlfriends wondering why it is that they seem to be taking so long. Central have provided a cushioned suite of comfortable sofas outside the toilets for people to lounge on and perhaps do some internet surfing while they are waiting. Or, like the man in our picture, have a deep sleep with some shades on…. The only thing missing perhaps is a transgender toilet but it would not be surprising if that was in the pipeline. Central have clearly invested a great deal of thought and money into ensuring cleanliness and convenience for the public at this shopping center. And while it is the best this writer has seen in Thailand, facilities at similar places in the kingdom, while admittedly less swanky, are often spotless and excellent. Many of Thailand’s restrooms would make the first world proud! -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-07-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimmer Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Two troll posts demeaning the news content have been removed. Dont like the story then move on to another but do not leave your vitriolic comments on here for others to read and for moderators to clear up, thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldiablo72 Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Wow, a few places in Bangkok and other big cities with nice bathrooms vs the rest of Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tso310 Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 There's more to Thailand than just Bangkok as Idiablo72 has shown. Mr Carter needs to get out to the 'real' Thailand a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobredin Ghusputin Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 What for are those strange looking white pots with taps and mirrors behind them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Triangle Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Well that's very nice for the people that go shopping there, unfortunately, they are literally one in a million facilities, having traveled extensively throughout the Kingdom I can assure the writer that the facilities shown do not equate to service station bogs up and down the country, and if I recall correctly didn't the former Prime Minister Yingluck decree that all squat toilets in shopping malls, service stations, National parks etc etc were to be replaced with Western style loos ? Whatever happened there !! So, if caught out whilst travelling around the country always carry bog roll in the car and always use the disabled loo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 When they learn how to do plumbing they will catch up to the west perhaps. I do like the bum gun though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdaz Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 (edited) Look closer. Badly tiled, huge silicon sealant lines, taps not installed correctly, leaky plumbing bogged up with miles of teflon tape. Like much here it looks fine from a distance, but up close it fails. Edited July 10, 2017 by Pdaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huangnon Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 4 minutes ago, Grubster said: I do like the bum gun though. Yep. Makes up for a lot of other faults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Triangle Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Why is it that every tap in Thailand is loose ???? Never been able to figure that one out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubuzz Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Is that the children's toilet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 9 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said: Why is it that every tap in Thailand is loose ???? Never been able to figure that one out They just don't know how to do plumbing period. Sewer gas smell is the norm too. Slow drains due to no venting etc. etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamecn Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 47 minutes ago, Grubster said: They just don't know how to do plumbing period. Sewer gas smell is the norm too. Slow drains due to no venting etc. etc. What's a siphon lock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petedk Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Just now, stubuzz said: Is that the children's toilet? Yep Didn't you see the sign? "Boy" "girl" ..... only for one person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhizBang Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 And the reason for all the poor workmanship is that it is all done by Issan farmers or migrant workers who have no knowledge of how to do it right. 9 times out of 10 you would be hard pressed to find a knowledgeable skilled tradesman on site. Definitely third world and always will be. I was in one of those upscale shopping mall restrooms a few years back, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to flush the toilet. Seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 1 hour ago, lamecn said: What's a siphon lock? Not for sure, haven't heard that term but Im guessing that its when the waste water is running down a pipe and it is pulling against the water in the sink trap or toilet trap, and since there is no venting, no air can get in between the two and flow stops. Most people think a vent pipe is to let stink out, it is to let air in so water can flow. Proper venting in a building costs as much or more then the waste piping and must be done to have a proper system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thechook Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 I don't get it, The hub of brilliant toilets. You see these toilets everywhere you go in places like Australia even every home has at the very least one. There would be far, far more than Thailand could ever imagine but they claim to be the hub of western style toilets. This type of toilet isn't new Thailand they have been around for generations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvs Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Compared to my home country Thailand is very far ahead as far as toilets are concerned. Toilets in gas stations are every where over here but try to find a decent toilet in Holland(and for free) Near where we live is a new gas station and the toilets are air conditioned!!! and very clean! I know a lot of travellers are very pleased with the toilet arrangement in Thailand. Great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 1 minute ago, jvs said: Compared to my home country Thailand is very far ahead as far as toilets are concerned. Toilets in gas stations are every where over here but try to find a decent toilet in Holland(and for free) Near where we live is a new gas station and the toilets are air conditioned!!! and very clean! I know a lot of travellers are very pleased with the toilet arrangement in Thailand. Great job. It was that way for many years in the US too but now almost all gas stations are similar to 7 11s here. Man those seven elevens get most all of my business, The HDCP toilet works fine for number two, and the stores are really consistent with all you may need in your travels, free air for tires, good gas. It is your best bet for fresh ice cream too as it sells so fast there. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajae Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 yes they look great when new but go back 6 months later and they are falling apart because they use cheap crap materials, work is done by non qualified people and nothing is square/level. All the fit out is laminated, look underneath at the way they have done the plumbing and its a laugh, then you get the taps that are set too far back for the basin, toilet doors that hit the toilet when opened, its one big joke. Then you get the ones that use them and the men that use the toilet rather than the trough and simply p*ss all over the seat and floor or throw the used paper on the floor. As they say, you cant make a silk purse out of a pigs scrotum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 5 hours ago, WhizBang said: I was in one of those upscale shopping mall restrooms a few years back, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to flush the toilet. Seriously. Life was so much simpler in the old days ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim207 Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 8 hours ago, tso310 said: There's more to Thailand than just Bangkok as Idiablo72 has shown. Mr Carter needs to get out to the 'real' Thailand a bit more. Tip for the uninitiated, always check that there is a pipe connected to bottom of urinal before use. Maybe I have been around too long but I always laugh at my own carelessness when I find myself pissing in a urinal that is directed straight at my feet below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airalee Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Why are the handsoap dispensers so far away from the sinks?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reigntax Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 The hub of brillant toilets to satisfy the hub of verbal diarrhea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer90210 Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 The best bit of Thai Toilets is the ass washing mini shower, just next to the bowl!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thechook Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 3 hours ago, observer90210 said: The best bit of Thai Toilets is the ass washing mini shower, just next to the bowl!! You mean those high pressure hoses, when you points it at your rear water gushes out your mouth. Tried one of those blasters once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamyai3 Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 9 hours ago, jvs said: Compared to my home country Thailand is very far ahead as far as toilets are concerned. Ditto the UK, as anyone who's dealt with shiny toilet paper will attest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Obviously, no one posting here has been to Indonesia? I find most public toilets in Thailand acceptable. Can't find one? Every Wat has toilets. Some even have a western one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YetAnother Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 doubt that nice toilets are going to put a dent in the mess that is thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdaz Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 17 hours ago, Golden Triangle said: Why is it that every tap in Thailand is loose ???? Never been able to figure that one out It's not just taps/faucets. Bolts, screws and fixings of all types only done up loosely or barely hand tight. Been experiencing the same issue with local techs at my work for years. At my work they just seem to be overly cautious. But for the average Thai handyman I think it's just laziness and lack of interest in their work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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