Squat Toilets gotta love em(not)

[TingTongJohn]

Squat toilets. I do not have the words to speak of the horror I feel when I am in the sticks and have to use the common mans abode. Due to lack of proper training I guess(As in years where I could have been practicing my aim) I choose the easy route a sit down comfy how can you miss system of removal. But now when having to be blessed on the odd ocassion to use this embedded in the floor no flushing lack of toilet paper housing a small trough or buck office is well crappy. I am either standing or slipping as I am trying not to step in it as I try to get my position centered(Sorry not really built for this) And there have been times when nature has called(bangkok revenge) Where I and the squat is become and it became a sit down throne one as my legs were shaking and it was easier just to sit directly on it and besure I am not missing on my bombing run. Lets not even get started about bucket of water and no toilet paper please.

[margaretcarnes]

A little toilet (re)training needed here I think! First there is often a spray to use - maybe not out in the sticks - so the bucket of water is there to wash the backside, and to flush the toilet.
This is where the scoop thing comes in - and the 'right hand versus left hand' you might have heard old hands refer to!
Alternatively take a few leaves in with you.
Seriously the water method is much cleaner than using paper, which is why bidets were invented. And best avoid the squatties on trains. I can cope with squatties OK but always hang on to a rail when using them on trains.....

And have you ever wondered why so many toilet seats in the LOS are broken?

[PeteC]

If you have any Thai women in your extended family here, over 60, take a look at their knees when the opportunity arises. All of them have knees the size of melons that I attribute to decades of squat toilet use, and their habit of squatting to do just about everything that us westerners would do on a table top. Two in our family when moved into a house with western toilets grinned ear to ear and wanted to throw a party, after their initial "getting used to it" period of skepticism. Pete

[TingTongJohn]

A little toilet (re)training needed here I think! First there is often a spray to use - maybe not out in the sticks - so the bucket of water is there to wash the backside, and to flush the toilet.
This is where the scoop thing comes in - and the 'right hand versus left hand' you might have heard old hands refer to!
Alternatively take a few leaves in with you.
Seriously the water method is much cleaner than using paper, which is why bidets were invented. And best avoid the squatties on trains. I can cope with squatties OK but always hang on to a rail when using them on trains.....

And have you ever wondered why so many toilet seats in the LOS are broken?

Training ya say..sigh..maybe..But I have been in a few where there was no rail no bucket or trough and the water flow is more a water drip into the cleaning system being offered. A spray would be nice yes as well but many do not come equipped with such niceities. There once was frog in one i used I guess I could have used him as a wipe as I had no leaves

[TingTongJohn]

If you have any Thai women in your extended family here, over 60, take a look at their knees when the opportunity arises. All of them have knees the size of melons that I attribute to decades of squat toilet use, and their habit of squatting to do just about everything that us westerners would do on a table top. Two in our family when moved into a house with western toilets grinned ear to ear and wanted to throw a party, after their initial "getting used to it" period of skepticism. Pete

My wife had to show her mom how to use our sit down one..

[Big Boy]

When we first rented a house in Hua Hin (about 10 years ago), our eldest (Thai) granddaughter (3 years old at the time) moved in with us. She gradually became accustomed to a real toilet. During that holiday, we found ourselves in Wang Po at an elephant show, and she needed to pee. When she was presented with a squat toilet, she refused to use it, and bottled it until we found civilization a couple of hours later

[Big Boy]

There once was frog in one i used

The toilet at my wife's family home always has at least half a dozen frogs staring at your bits while you do your business.

[Coldmike]

If you have any Thai women in your extended family here, over 60, take a look at their knees when the opportunity arises. All of them have knees the size of melons that I attribute to decades of squat toilet use, and their habit of squatting to do just about everything that us westerners would do on a table top. Two in our family when moved into a house with western toilets grinned ear to ear and wanted to throw a party, after their initial "getting used to it" period of skepticism. Pete

Ever notice footprints on the western toilet seat after an elder or rural has been in?

[hhfarang]

I've never understood how Thais can squat and sit on their heels the way they do. I have a big counter weight hanging over my belt in front and almost nothing in back and I still fall over backwards if I try it...

[dtaai-maai]

I have a big counter weight hanging over my belt in front ...

You really should be more careful how you dress, sir; you'll frighten the horses.

[hhfarang]

While that wasn't the counterweight I was talking about, thanks for the suggestion of that possibility.

[Takiap]

I've never understood how Thais can squat and sit on their heels the way they do.

I often squat down like that, with feet flat on the ground, and quite often I've had Thais comment on it. To be honest, it's quite comfortable. Not the squat pan though, but if you choose to live here, sooner or later you will have to use one, and after a few hundred times, it does get easier.

[richard]

Well this really relates to my journey back to Hua Hin after my last stay at the village. The village had been reaping the rice harvest and at the close of the day that means food and drink to celebrate. Fine, but the food is mainly raw meat with sticky rice and a chili dip. All washed down with lao khow. After 3 days of this I thought I might have bowel problems but not so. Embarked on my trip back to Hua Hin and all was well at the airports and in the air.

Now most of you know that traditionally Thais eat, handle money and other things with their right hand and the left hand is for cleaning ones anus in the toilet. Things are changing and western toilets with loo rolls are more frequent now but most have a bum squirter for those who prefer a cold blast up the bum.

Well my car arrives at the airport and away we go to Hua Hin. Oh dear . Rumblings afoot. OK I can last until the next petrol station. No, no, no, no. Frantic pleas to the driver to find a loo. None on the road for 15 kms he says. I say “Do you want a mess and a nasty smell in your nice car?” Quick maneuver and we are down a side street and into a broken down old garage with a loo of sorts. Oh relief. Hang on, no loo paper and no bum squirter. Oh well time to learn a bit more about Thai culture. The details I will leave to your imagination. Now I know why many young Thais travel with a toilet roll in their back pocket.

[TingTongJohn]

As a side bar I would like to issue a plea to some of the malls where you have to buy those small packets of nose wipes as your cleaning method.
You know the ones that many females carry in handbag to dab or wipe. This will not work in a manly world folks. Also these have to be purchased not an issue other then this is always the time when you have no change and really are in a rush to visit the office. That and then having to carry in 10 packs of these fall apart when wet tissues looks strange as you shuffle into the stall. Safety first kids so the ratio should be one packet per wipe(you may do the math)

[PeteC]

The wife started carrying "baby wipes" when our daughter was still in diapers. She still does now 6 years later and we all use them when out and nature calls. They're moist, good smelling and most important, made of strong cloth like material and get the job done very well. A pack is about 5" x 3" by about 1.5" thick and easy to carry in a purse or pants pocket. About 12 in a pack. Name brands are numerous but what you'll probably find in Tesco are Mamy Poko and Johnson & Johnson. Happy wiping! Pete