Travellers to Thailand would have to be lunatics to drink water straight from the tap.
I always use bottled water in Thailand - even for brushing my teeth.
Now the water is tasting even worse as the country heads for its worst drought in four decades.
A prolonged period without rain has led to some sea water entering the Bangkok fresh water supply, which is affecting tap water, Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has told travellers.
"This issue may continue for several months," said the FCO. "Thailand's Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (Bangkok) advise that there is no risk to public health from drinking tap water but salty water can affect people in higher risk groups, such as those with kidney disease.
"If you are concerned about the risks to your personal health, you should drink bottled water and/or get medical advice."
Some water from Bangkok taps currently tastes salty as levels in the Chao Phraya river have become too low to keep sea water out. Water in the metropolitan area comes from two main sources: the Chao Phraya River and Mae Klong River, neither of which is fresh, clean mountain stream.
I was actually surprised that any Brits at all have been drinking Thai water (although, come to think of it, it might explain their election results).
The World Nomads website has long advocated: "Don't drink tap water in Thailand, stick to boiled or treated water.
"For the same reason you don‘t drink the water, take care when you‘re swimming in it. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that gets into your body through cuts and abrasions when you're swimming, kayaking, and white water rafting. Also known as swamp fever, it was first recognised as an occupational disease of sewer workers.
"If you have a cut, make sure you treat it with disinfectant and stick a plaster over it."
I always use bottled water in Thailand - even for brushing my teeth.
Now the water is tasting even worse as the country heads for its worst drought in four decades.
A prolonged period without rain has led to some sea water entering the Bangkok fresh water supply, which is affecting tap water, Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has told travellers.
"This issue may continue for several months," said the FCO. "Thailand's Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (Bangkok) advise that there is no risk to public health from drinking tap water but salty water can affect people in higher risk groups, such as those with kidney disease.
"If you are concerned about the risks to your personal health, you should drink bottled water and/or get medical advice."
Some water from Bangkok taps currently tastes salty as levels in the Chao Phraya river have become too low to keep sea water out. Water in the metropolitan area comes from two main sources: the Chao Phraya River and Mae Klong River, neither of which is fresh, clean mountain stream.
I was actually surprised that any Brits at all have been drinking Thai water (although, come to think of it, it might explain their election results).
The World Nomads website has long advocated: "Don't drink tap water in Thailand, stick to boiled or treated water.
"For the same reason you don‘t drink the water, take care when you‘re swimming in it. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that gets into your body through cuts and abrasions when you're swimming, kayaking, and white water rafting. Also known as swamp fever, it was first recognised as an occupational disease of sewer workers.
"If you have a cut, make sure you treat it with disinfectant and stick a plaster over it."
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