Is Phuket Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Phuket, Thailand, is generally treated but not recommended for drinking due to potential contamination risks. Locals and tourists commonly use bottled or filtered water.
Water quality can vary by location and infrastructure; some areas may have outdated pipes leading to possible bacterial contamination. Boiling or filtering tap water is advised.
Using bottled or purified water significantly reduces health risks like gastrointestinal illnesses. Always check local advisories for the most current water safety information.
Last checked: 2025-04-25
Thailand is ranked as number 100 globally with a score of 51.2% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's main tap water sources are groundwater from wells and surface water from reservoirs. These supply municipal water treatment plants.
Groundwater is abundant but can be affected by saltwater intrusion and contamination. Surface water is collected from local catchment areas and stored in dams.
Treated water undergoes chlorination and filtration before distribution. However, aging infrastructure can impact water quality by the time it reaches consumers.
Phuket Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Phuket are generally not considered safe for direct drinking due to potential contamination and insufficient maintenance.
Water quality at these fountains can be compromised by environmental exposure and lack of regular cleaning. Using personal filtered or bottled water is safer.
Visitors and locals are advised to avoid drinking directly from public fountains to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses and rely on treated or bottled water instead.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Phuket. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.