Thread: Over half of water vending machines in Bangkok unsafe to drink

Drinking water from more than half of coin operated vending machines in Bangkok is unsafe for health, according to latest survey by the subcommittee of the private sector Independent Organisation for Consumers Protection.

The independent researchers from the subcommittee took water samples from a total of 855 coin operated drinking water vending machines in Bangkok for test.

It found that there were several factors that made drinking water from these vending machines in Bangkok unsafe for drinking.

These factors included unclean body part of vending machines and locations where they were installed.

The subcommittee found that 76.3% of vending machines it examined were installed at inappropriate places such as at places covered by dust from traffic and smokes from exhausted pipes of motor vehicles. The rest was installed near garbage bins and waste water ditches.

It said 55.2% of water vending machines have unclean bodies, 42.9% have unclean valves, 29.4% are rusted, 21.1% are corroded, and 11.2,% are leaked.

It said 93.8% vending machines use tap water to produce drinking water, and only 43.3% of vending machines were given once a month cleaning.

Only 6% of vending machines displayed water quality test, and only 7% had water filter replacement.

The subcommittee then concluded that business operators of drinking water vending machines and concerned government agencies care very little on impact unclean water would have on consumers.

Therefore it suggested consumers to check these factors including the physical condition of vending machines before buying drinking water from these machines.

The survey of the subcommittee has been forwarded to the Ministry of Public Health, Industrial Standards Office and the Consumers Protection Office to work out measures to control water quality in these vending machines.

Over half of water vending machines in Bangkok unsafe to drink - Thai PBS English News

We use to buy water from them until i had stomach upset for 2 weeks. That's how long it took me to work out the cause, has anyone ever seen one of these machines serviced.

Originally Posted by misskit

93.8% vending machines use tap water

You must have had one of the 6.2% that use Klong water, KT

The immage lower right speaks volumes. Have never seen or heard of service.

Thats how I look when on the crapper due to the bugs. Well hands more clenched in fists of frustration while the bowel rumbles out the anal spitz Klong pooie.

They never change the filters or maintain the UV. If the machine is new, they will be OK, but one that is a few years old, you might as well drink tap water.

Thanks kindly Misskit, very helpful when we are next in LOS.

Bottled water it is then.

The subcommittee then concluded that business operators of drinking water vending machines and concerned government agencies care very little on impact unclean water would have on consumers.

the most accurate statement in their report

We be better off drinking our own urine balders...

err maybe not... bottled water it is then!

Originally Posted by misskit

42.9% have unclean valves

LD will sort them...

I only drink Voss