Hello, I'm headed to Thailand April 24, 2002. I'll be in Bangkok, Chaing Mai and near Phuket. Can anyone tell me is the water safe to drink? I hear how polluted things are, especially in Bangkok. It's going to be extremely hot and humid and I will need to drinks lots! I can do bottled water, but what about the ice in cold drinks, or food that might be washed in local water? The later is how I got sick in Mexico....argh! Thank you for any advice! Scott

Don't drink the tap water! Even if the locals do. <BR><BR>With ice you usually should be safe, especially if you're in your hotel or a reputable restaurant. Most places buy their ice cubes ready-made from purified water. They should look distinctive in as much as their definitley "cubed", and have a hole in the middle. <BR><BR>I have heard horror stories of waiters hacking off ice from a huge block, picking some back up from the floor, to rinse it, then serve. Obviously to be avoided! <BR><BR>I hope you stay well ! and have a fantastic time in Thailand.<BR><BR><BR>Thailand Travelogue & Photos<BR>http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~fos007/fb2b.htm<BR>

What's the saying? Boil it, peel it, cook it or forget it, or something like that. Don't eat fresh fruits and vegetables that may have been rinsed with tap water, eat only food that has been cooked or peeled.

Scott: Try all the exotic fruit you've never seen before. Thailand has an amazing choice of it. A lot of them can must be peeled.<BR>And everything about the water has been said above.<BR>Be careful also with eating food at the night markets. I am not saying it's bad, but we are not used to it and our stomachs might get upset.<BR><BR>Will leave myself to Asia this Wednesday (Vietnam and Thailand). Hm, yes, agree, it will definitely be hot and humid. Forget about denim jeans. Much to heavy and uncomfortable.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!!

Thank u all for the great advice, and believe me, I'm leaving home WITHOUT my denim jeans! This is my very first excursion to Asia....I'm cautiously excited ;-)

Most hotels will give you at least two bottles of water free per day, (Marriotts gave me as much as we could drink) Bottled water in general only costs 8-10 bahts at local stores (22-24 cents) and we had no problem with it.Only use cubed ice, it's purified. do not do crushed ice unless the bartender crushes it before your eyes! Enjoy, Thailand is friendly, and fun.

Scot, don`t drink water drink cerveza.

Scott, remember what W.C.Fields said<BR>"I don't drink water,fish F--- in It"

Hmmm, I like the last two replies! I can do Cerveza, no prob! ;-)

Be careful of the local bottled water.In Nepal,they would get it from taps and sell it as clean water.Many people got sick.

Martin is right - becareful. Here are some of the reliable local bottle water:<BR><BR>Chang - from the beer maker<BR>Singha - from the beer maker<BR>Nam Thip - from the Coca Cola botteller<BR>Polaris - American origin(the comp.)<BR>Sprinkle - American origin(the comp.)<BR><BR>Cheers!<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Obviously you have to use your common sense with water and only drink the bottled stuff - but I brushed my teeth with tap water the whole way round thailand and malaysia and didn't suffer at all. Don't wrap yourself in cotton wool too much!