Toilets in Thailand

The first thing we had to get use to with the toilets in Thailand was toilet paper, or lack thereof. Many public bathrooms don’t have toilet paper so unless you want to clean yourself with the pail of water or the hose provided I insist you bring some toilet paper along. You can purchase toilet paper at Tesco Lotus and 711 or snag a bit from the “napkin” dispenser on many a restaurant table. That’s right, the “napkin” dispensers actually dispense toilet paper.

The second issue with toilet paper is that it must be tossed into a trash can and not into the toilet bowl. At home I am often reminding my children to ensure the toilet paper goes in the bowl and not on the floor so it seems counter intuitive to be telling them otherwise. Apparently, plumbing in Thailand isn’t the same as in North America and wee bit of toilet paper can cause a whole lot of problems in the plumbing. I will admit that I have, on occasion, accidentally thrown my toilet paper in the toilet, but there was no way I was going to fish it out!

There are the various types of toilets in Thailand. Honestly, you never know what you will encounter at any given bathroom. Here is a quick run down.

A sit down toilet with a flush lever. This is the kind of toilet we have back in Canada so there’s nothing new here. Other than putting the toilet paper in the trash everything is the same. 

A sit down toilet with no flush lever. If you encounter this toilet there will be a large basin of water and a pail nearby. Simply do your business then “flush” the toilet by filling the pail with water and pouring it into the toilet. It isn’t too complicated.

The Squat Toilet

Now this toilet is a little more complicated to figure out if you have never used one before. First, the positioning, place one foot on either side of the toilet on the foot rests provided. Usually you want to be facing the door, useless the squat toilet is sideways then adjust accordingly. Once you’ve got your feet on the right spots and your pants are down then you must squat! Use those quads and get low low low, putting your weight into your heels. It helps to tilt your pelvis so that any excrement goes towards to small hole which reduces undesired splashing. Squat toilets don’t have flush levers so you have to employ the good old fill the pail with water technique. 

When my daughter had her first poop on the squatty potty she was incredibly proud. It can be intimidating but it might help to know that the squatting position actually makes defecation easier. So for all you constipated travelers out there the squatty potty might just end up being a really great thing for you.

Tokyo Airport Toilet

And just for fun, above is a picture of a toilet in the Tokyo Airport. These bathroom stalls are fully equipped and very comfortable. The seats are warmed and you can indulge in a rather relaxing and comfortable cleaning of your backside. By far, the highlight of our toilet adventures.