Squatters to Sits: Thailand to upgrade its toilets

[buksida]

Thailand's health ministry has introduced a new programme to replace squat toilets with the sit-down version at all public facilities, officials said Tuesday.

Deputy Public Health Minsiter Surawit Khonsomboon said the new loo policy was necessary to prepare for the country’s increasingly aged population.

The number of people over 60 years old will reach 14 per cent of the population in 2015, compared with 10 per cent in 2005, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

"We will start by replacing squat loos this month at government buildings, public schools and other public places such as national parks," Public Health Ministry spokeswoman Suchada Salaboon said.

All houses and buildings in Thailand must include toilets, according to an Interior Ministry order dating back decades. Squat toilets are popular, particularly in the rural areas, because they are cheaper that sit-down, flush toilets.

"Now we need to upgrade our toilets a bit," Suchada said.

Source: The Nation

[Lung Per]

Thailand's health ministry has introduced a new programme to replace squat toilets with the sit-down version at all public facilities, officials said Tuesday.

Deputy Public Health Minsiter Surawit Khonsomboon said the new loo policy was necessary to prepare for the country’s increasingly aged population.

The number of people over 60 years old will reach 14 per cent of the population in 2015, compared with 10 per cent in 2005, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

"We will start by replacing squat loos this month at government buildings, public schools and other public places such as national parks," Public Health Ministry spokeswoman Suchada Salaboon said.

All houses and buildings in Thailand must include toilets, according to an Interior Ministry order dating back decades. Squat toilets are popular, particularly in the rural areas, because they are cheaper that sit-down, flush toilets.

"Now we need to upgrade our toilets a bit," Suchada said.

Source: The Nation

You also need to upgrade quite a few Thais accordingly!

[bonnielass]

Damn it, those squats were a great work out for women, particularly for tightening up the thighs and the buttocks.

Is this a ploy to force us all to join the Gym?

[margaretcarnes]

As usual some very Thai logic in this. Loos need updating to cater for an ageing population - fair enough - makes sense. So some of the first places to be upgraded are schools.....

[johnnyk]

As usual some very Thai logic in this. Loos need updating to cater for an ageing population - fair enough - makes sense. So some of the first places to be upgraded are schools.....

Seven year-olds are ageing too!
Who said Thailand can't plan for the future?

[Lung Per]

Well, as we all should know by now; There's common sense logic, and there's Thai logic.

[margaretcarnes]

My problem is that I'm not even sure that western loos are any more hygeinic than squatties! At least with squatties there is no contact between bum and pot/plastic/wood or whatever.
Sure I can see the problem elderly people have using the squatties. But there are devices available which could provide an elevated seat over the squatty if needed. Problem here is that a) Thailand isn't great on adaptations for the elderly and disabled and 2) they are maybe more concerned about image.
Come the glorious day when all toilets on trains are the seated variety Thailand will truly be able to claim that it is living in the 21st century.

[Lung Per]

Topic for next poll:
When under the affluence of incohol,-when on a squat toilet,- how many times have you
a) tipped over backwards
b) tipped over forwards
c) not gotten your clothes sufficently removed
d) asked yourself what are those pedals for
f) not been able to hit the hole.
g) fallen asleep in the toilet.

[richard]

Remember my REAL initiation into basic Thai toilet culture.

Had been in the wife's Isaan village for rice harvesting, so every evening was party time. Laos Khow and raw larb mince with chillies and raw veg. After a few days it was time to head back to HH.

So off to KK airport. Need the toilet? no.
On the plane. Need the toilet? no.
Arrive BKK. Need the toilet? no.
Hit the highway. Need the toilet? Oh SHIIIIIIIIIIT.

'Driver stop please I need a toilet'. Reply 'no toilets sir for some time'. 'Well there is going to be a mess in your taxi then'. Boot down and somehow found a broken down old garage.

Sprint to the loo. Oooh relief....Eh up...No paper, Eh up....no bum squirter...just a bowl of foul looking water. Oh well now you know why Thais eat with their right hand. Left handed I may be but off to work it went

I eat right handed now

[margaretcarnes]

Topic for next poll:
When under the affluence of incohol,-when on a squat toilet,- how many times have you
a) tipped over backwards
b) tipped over forwards
c) not gotten your clothes sufficently removed
d) asked yourself what are those pedals for
f) not been able to hit the hole.
g) fallen asleep in the toilet.

c) ... but it's usually been in the sort of places where the loo floor etc is awash with water anyway, so it all kind of blends in....

[Khundon1975]

Can I be the first to say it?

What a load of crap.

[charlesh]

Margaret you should try an Indian train when the squat is a hole in the floor surrounded by a veritable hillock of excreta and the floor is almost awash with liquid including beetle nut juice (I think). There is a very real chance that your bum will touch something most unpleasant! You do however learn to hold your breath as a side benefit.
The Thais do however seem to have people employed to keep toilets (by and large) clean.