drinking water

[Fr. Lust 5]

The question for the 'old hands' - how paranoid should I be about the water in the Residence Garden and the restaurants in Pattaya?

 

When visiting Mexico, I don't drink the water - just bottled water. In Costa Rica, I drink the tap water in the hotels, never a problem.

 

The thing that always struck me is, even if I am drinking bottled water in the hotel, if I eat a salad at a restaurant, the lettice is rinsed in the local water, food is prepared in local water, I shower in the local water, my Coffee is made with the local water, so I am getting some of it in my system anyway.

 

Do I my Mexico standard or my Costa Rica standard?

 

Thanks

 

Fr. Lust

[PigBoy#1 28]

The thing that always struck me is, even if I am drinking bottled water in the hotel, if I eat a salad at a restaurant, the lettice is rinsed in the local water, food is prepared in local water, I shower in the local water, my Coffee is made with the local water, so I am getting some of it in my system anyway.

 

Do I my Mexico standard or my Costa Rica standard?

 

Thanks

 

Fr. Lust

I would only drink bottled water. A tip that my parents gave me was that to take 2 gulps of pepto-bismol 3-4 times per day and you wouldn't have any problems. I do this on every trip and I haven't had any problems. I don't drink tap water, but I do use it to wash out my mouth after brushing my teeth though. No problems in 5 trips.

 

 

Ty_

 

42 days...........

[Babepecker 0]

For me: bottled water all the way, wherever I can get it (including brushing my teeth).

 

On the other hand, I ate at various restaurants, of various standards and didn't really bother to check what they are using and doing in their kitchen. Just hoped it was all properly cooked (or fried or...) and that all microorganisms died in the process.

 

Worked fine for me (never any problem) and wasn't too much stress for me.

[ting_tong 63]

Drink bottled water, make your own coffee with bottled water(french press or melita style), and take your chances if you intend on eating fresh veggies.

 

Its not the water that will kill you, its crossing 2nd road at 4 to 5 in the evening!

[Eneukman 1]

I too only drink bottled water - it's very cheap in Thailand but other than that I don't worry too much. I think that in most bars/restaurants the ice will be made from bottled water so again there shouldn't be a problem there.

 

In 5 visits to date, I've yet to have any problems with stomach upsets etc.

 

Alan

[rb 20]

water!!!

what the hell are you drinking water for, Singhi cheap enought for brushing your teeth and making coffee.

hell I shower with it during happy hour.

depnding on your "system" there really isn't any problems with most reasonable hotel water or ice (cubed-not shaved).

at 5baht a lt. bottled water is just convenent to have and most rooms provide a couple complimentry.

[Jimmybb 0]

No matter how careful I try to be, by the fourth day I am in country I have the "squirts." I get some pills for this at the pharmacy and just continue with my holiday. I do not, however, tend to push when I get the urge to break wind as I really don't need any unpleasant surprises. ha James

[BigDUSA 71]

Speaking now as Sgt BigDUSA, US Army Medical Corp, Preventive Medicine. Don't drink the tap water or the ice in bars. I use bottled mineral water for drinking and brushing my teeth.

 

The Thais opened a waste treatment plant about 18 months ago in Pattaya but god only knows if it's in operation. National government built many plants but the local government doesn't have the money to operate them.

 

One day I walked by a ice making facility and I walked in and took a look around. They were freezing tap water without running it thru filters. I used to inspect these facilities when I was in the Army and I know what to look for. Later that day I saw the company trucks delivering ice to bars on soi 8.

 

Most farong oriented restaurant in Pattaya have water filters in the kitchen. The question is do they change them out regularly.

[Fr. Lust 5]

From the answers I'm getting the idea that I would be O.K. with minimal precautions.

 

For years I've eaten off taco wagons in the streets of Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and Ensenada. If my system can take that, then I can probably take the Thai restaurants veggies and just use bottled water for actual drinking (only when avoiding dehydration or up in the middle of the night). Beer, especially dark beer, is my preference and Irish whiskey when I can find it. Don't think I will take the lead of the poster who bathes in beer however.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Fr. Lust

[Babepecker 0]

Thanx for the info, BigD.

 

I'll reduce my ice-consumption the next time around. Do not want to become like this:

[BigDUSA 71]

One guy PM me and asked, If I drink whiskey will the alcohol kill the germs. Yes but. When you drink the whiskey and say coke as you finish the drink. The alcohol level goes way down and as the ice melts the contaminated portion of the water goes up.