Everything else question: How are you supposed to use this, what do you hold onto to and how do you stand back up?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This thread shares a humorous and informative discussion about using squat toilets in Thailand, which can be a challenge for newcomers. Key tips include taking off pants, squatting correctly over the toilet, using a hose (often humorously referred to as a 'bum gun') for cleaning yourself instead of toilet paper, and the importance of balance and technique while standing up afterwards. Various comments provide personal anecdotes, advice on handling the experience, and the general cultural context around squat toilets, presenting a lighthearted take on this aspect of expat life.
Jim *********
You need to go back to your country
Joe ******
Old 80 year old thai people manage to use it no problem just lazy out of condition Europeans can't manage it haha
Jack *******
No
Jason *****
You can stand to use it
Kenny ********
Think this is for washing your feet 🤔🫠
Goody ******
I'm ok with the squat toilet but it's the story my cousin told me as a kid that still haunts me. Be careful or else a snake will come out from the toilet and bury itself in your butt....
Tord ****
I’m not sure i’ve seen every comment here but this thread would be incomplete without this internet classic
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Burnard ************
A healthy person squats. They do not sit down. Same as you would do of you were lost in the forest.
But it is very hard for elderly and disabled people. At least in the forest you can squat between 2 trees. Would it hurt them to put in a railing?
Sangho *****
Best way is always carry dipers
Russell ************
If unable to squat, put some toilet paper on top and sit down.
sadly, some of us do struggle with squatting. But its not impossible. It seems a lot of the complaining is about washing their bum! Lol.
Reply to
Lynnette *******
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David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m glad no one was interested in this post. I’m loving the info and banter.
Kevin *******
Among all the other keen observations here, I will add that it's a great argument in favor of fripfrop or crocs, because maybe you'll need to hose off your footwear. :-)
I often wonder that. First off squirt to clean it. Rub the plate if you want to. Carry some bleach with you. Of course the toilet seat problem too. And splashes. Terrifying topic! 5555
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Peter ********
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Zoe ******
Squat toilet is healthier for the body, as it’s our body’s natural way to go to the bathroom. But it’s also more uncomfortable and uncivilized looking than western toilets. Most Asian homes don’t have those anymore, only public restrooms. I can see how it’s a scary way to go if you’ve never done it.
Paulo **********
lol
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Someone noted even the Thais hate these.
Funny I was out to lunch today with some Thais and one of the guys left lunch to go home to the toilet since this eating establishment only had squat pots.
Bill *********
Hold on until you find a western style toilet.
Osama ************
It takes a lot of practice from a very young age to be able to master this.
Juan ***********
Dont mind me, im here for the comments 😅🤣
Robert ********
In China there are the most common
Alan ********
Buy a commode chair place over top of it if you cannot squat
Philip ********
I hate them 😒
Jason ********
Squat and drop only toilets for years out there , at least now you have a bum gun. 🇹🇭🤦♂️
I thought was one of the new Thai Government requirements to getting a VISA. You have to have documentation you can squat.
Reply to
David **********
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Lena *******
First time in France, 1985, they had these. But they were luxury compared to the cesspit I encountered in the early 90s in Morocco, going through Atlas Mountains. My then partner took a look and said, "It's a shitstorm. You can't manage it "The smell was horrible. We hunted around and found some bushes.
Robert ******
You hold onto Dear Life.
Ben *********
Not senior citizen and handicap friendly, thank God for options.
Paul *******
Better practice your squats dude. Every morning. 😂
Kevin ********
555
Greg ******
I had explosive diarrhea in a bathroom like this. They should have used a bulldozer to clean the mess.
Merv ***********
With difficulty. Especially if yer tall like me. 🫠
Ome *****
You will become an expert in the very first week there...😜😁😂
Wait until its banging the door down and you can’t hold on any longer , it’s easier on the knees the less time your squatting
Michael ***********
Squat
Juliet *******
Squat
Mohsin ********
Fresh out of the boat huh 😄
Max *******
Just sit and shit
Tammy *********
Master technique how to pee without wet yourself. Or find the western style toilet. Or don’t sit down if u can’t get back up. Learn to adapt.
Aaron ****************
Just shit on the floor, wipe it up with the left hand, then wash both hands. Welcome to Thailand
Jeremy *************
Go to gym and start squatting
Joseph *******
You must be near my old age, to be asking that question!
Tammie ******************
If you bring your own paper can it go in there? Asking for a friend 😝
Jan *********
Welcome to Thailand.
You're new around here, aren't you?
Dan *********
As long as they got that bidget I’m happy. Get yo a** down there and squat like you mean it son!
Dan ********
But I have bad knees
Mike *******
Hover
Vinn *********
How to use this one?
Sri **********
Follow foot marks steps and sit🤣
James ******
Caught a train from Bangkok to changmai. 12 hours trip.
The day before I'd had a questionable meal and I was in bad shape.
I had a load of pills and was eating them like sweets as I was traveling. On the 11th hour the pills were done and I couldn't hold it anymore.
There it was. The squat toilet on a fucking moving train rocking back and forth as they do.
I stared at it and realised I was watching the train tracks through the toilet hole.
Nothing for it . Just had to go. I even took a change of shorts just incase.
Like a torrent it shot out of me. Train throwing me around I'm holding the walls and metal bar just trying not to fall over ...or worse shit all over myself.
Finally it was over and I washed off.... expecting the worst I checked all over.
Best shot I've ever made.
It was all on the train tracks and none on me .
Never again do I want to have to be that worried over a runny shit.
yeah the west sits kids down in a desk chair at 5yo and if as parents you don't have time to take your kids to play they gotta sit inside watching TV or someone will call the cops. So ankles don't get used in that range of motion
Reply to
Sam ************
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Phil ********
You squat down and stand up when you've finished.
Andriy ***************************
It's shitting, it's not rocket science. Figure it out.
Benidorm *******
If your fatty no chance lol 😆 🤣 😂
Ellis ******************************
🧦
Jo **********
I was in a day trip in Thailand. We stopped to eat at a small restaurant on the road. I went to the bathroom before order my food. I saw flies in the toilet squats. Then I went to the restaurant to orde. I saw flies in the foods in the restaurants that was just a few steps from the toilets. I had two questions when I saw that: what do flies found inside a toilets squat? And, are the flies I saw inside the toilet squats the same I saw in the foods? Of course I turned around and fast for the rest of my day trip 🤣
Carlo *******
Doesn’t the water drip down your legs into your shorts?
Richard ********
"How are you supposed to use this?"
-Shit in the hole.
"What are you supposed to hold on to?"
- Your hopes and dreams
"How do I get up?"
- Roll sideways onto the floor, considering your life choices.
It’s a squat pot. Put a foot on each side & squat. Be careful not to pee on your clothes. After you’re done, clean yourself with the bidet. Then you air dry.
Getting back up is tough, especially if you’re over 60.
If you’re going to be here a while, it’s a good idea to practice getting down on your knees to pray every day! It makes getting back up off of these things easier:)
(If you’re in a public restroom, check all the stalls- there’s usually at least one American toilet.)
Alastair *******
I saw the question and knew I’d get a laugh with the responses. Thank you all, I wasn’t disappointed 👍🤪
James *********
The Correct Procedure: Face wall, squat, poop, spray to rinse. Some will then use a bit of liquid soap on the bum, rinse again, pat dry with paper if some sort that you've brought along.
Colin *********************
All over China too. I once chose to run back to my hotel from a bar (almost a mile) rather than use one. Then ran back again. If you do have to use one, remove all clothes first!!!
Oh man first time n japan had an emergency and ran into convinience store and they only had sqat toilet, got down fine but almost fell backwards luckily there was a water pipe to grab ahold of which i had to use to get up also but was difficult almoat fell in.
Shaun ********
I'd rather shit myself than use one of them 🤣🤣
James ********
this is why even fat Thais can squat and sit cross legged. Those minutes every morning add up.
Ben **********
I'm thankful for the core focused Kettlebell exercises I did before coming to live in Asia 15 years ago.
I can squat with the best om em'
Yvan **********
This is amazing Thailand and many other countries all over the world…
Naomi ********
Leg day at the gym finally comes into play
Michael ************
Never an easy task for those of us with bad knees. I never leave home without tissue. I just don't feel comfortable with a soggy butt! Always lift your tail. 🐒🤣
Pertti *************
Bideee.. Where's toilet bowl🤯
Joseph ******
Me not know. I’m foreigner.
Ibraheem *********
If you can't stand up..you too old
Marcus ************
Following for advice. 😂
Diane *******
Squat
Galenus ******
Invite some Thai. They will show you how to use
David **********
I remember the first time I used one of these in France, started off just pulling down my shorts, after nearly shitting in them they ended up on the back of the door while I had a knee trembler experience, not used to squatting like that!!
Didn't really understand how it worked, ended up flushing and washing my shoes as well!!
Best to take your trousers or short off while attempting,this one of the 6 wonders of the world, takes years of practice, never attempt if you had a curry or very spice food.
Bastien ********
Wait what do you mean you are not supposed to sit on these ??!??
Jeff **********
Is there toilet paper to wipe your now soaking wet butt? also, is that what I think it is in that little blue bucket?
sometimes there is toilet paper, if not just put your pants straight back on, it's just a bit of water, Thailand is a hot country, you dry off in no time at all.
if anything has escaped the toilet 💩 people just spray the toilet and the wall, Thai toilets are usually wet rooms, with a drain hole in the floor, that's why the place is always swimming in water 😂
Reply to
Andy **********
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James *******
Dip your fingers n the hole to apply soap, rub hands together and then rinse with the spray gun.
Andy **********
Never shit in the forest?
Peter ********
Basically a Falang can’t use it. From an early age Thai children can squat down and be on their feet on the ground. I can’t do that. I would fall backwards. I’m sure most Falang are the same. I guess in an emergency one can use it.
You try telling my legs and my sense of balance! 😂
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Peter ********
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William **************
Evil squat toilet. Either stepping, slipping or missing the mark. Had food poisoning once and just sat on it. Didn't care. The big upgrade is the kids toy bucket with water to clean with.
Hilary **********
A friend of ours used one in Bali. No bum gun so he used a 500 rupee note to finish off. He hated wasting the money even though it was minimal 😀😀
Brian **********
3 years and still have avoided the dreaded squat toilet
Terrence *******
You will understand real quick when you have no other choice
Eddy *******
Have a asquat
Nicxy *******
!leg day!
Nigel ***********
The thai squat toilet lol
Christina *******
asian squat, farang can not.
Olivier ************
Pull your shorts down. Squat . Shit in your shorts . With some experience you ll manage not to shit in your shorts but pissing in them is unavoidable
OK ***************
Learn Muay Thai first .
Jarrad ********
Hold on to your life, too many spicy peppers in Thai food to not have a handrail 😅
Clive *********
Bombs away…. Accuracy is the name of the game here, especially if wearing sandals/ flip flops
Scott *********
You’ll
Get use to it Few misses maybe. 😂
John **********
Squat and drop.
Nigel *********
After an unfortunate event at Surathani Train station involving one of these toilets, I now strip naked before use
Marcel *******
What I learned in all the years is, take off the pants completely 🤭
Tony *********
No good for pensioners having to squat for a crap.
Frank **********
Why I always carry baby wipes 555.
Paul ************
Same way you get up from sitting on a couch or chair
John *******
Since u have a spray gun, first clean the area and take off everything below the waist. Stand on it while squatting a bit. Let it all out. Clean up with the spray gun. If no gun, u are shit out of luck.
Lee ********
Bend your knees Katie 🤣
Keiton *****
Now you know why Asian people stay fit always 💪💪💪
Greta *****
There is a western adjustment stool called . EZ poo. You can get it at the airport
Marty ******
Watch the sumo wrestlers stance 😜👍
Mark **********
Very low squats. Hose instead of paper. Flush is pan in water.
it is worse if you get caught short and need a number 2, and it's just the plastic scoop in a big water drum, no bum gun, I've come out the toilet in a market restaurant, and was on the way to eat dinner, and there was no soap to clean my hands, I was fuming 🤷🙆😂🤣😂
I've never been in one that had nothing at all. Jeez.
Reply to
Lynnette *******
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Terry ********
If u cannot squat, or like me at 71 cannot get up after squat, first wash the pan rim down well and then just sit on the rim like a farang toilet with no seat. Luckily rarely need to as these days most places have farang toilets, but f*** it! when u gotta go u gotta go...555.
Michael ********
This is when i was a tour guide, we used to check out which places on routes had western style toilets.
Mark ***********
It's a fourth Century device that is used when people don't want to spend more than $15 on their bathroom accessories.
Everything about it is inconvenient and it's incredibly uncomfortable for anyone over 60 years old.
Apparently the squat position is the best for most efficiently evacuating the contents of your bowels
Duncan *******
First option would be to try to find another toilet -from restaurants to older Thai houses, they often have both. The second option and you need to sh*t, drop your dacks and squat over the front if you can't balance and do it properly. As long as you get it in there, you can then wash it away.
Hathaway *************
I live in fear of having no other option, after two knee replacements I can't do or hold a full squat and can't get back up without assistance 😱
Jeffrey *******
Is that at some some public toilet?
Eddie ***********
Take your pants off or you will hit them with s**t and p**s 😂😂😂
Sarinya **********
From my experience after u finished u can hold the wall and try to get up tgat is why we do squat everyday good bum and thick thighs 😘👍
Andy ********
🤣 come on you can work this out
Tom ********
I find those things impossible to use !
Paisano **********
Hover
Carlos *********
Squat position. Supposed to be much healthier for expulsion.
Pascal ********
you don't 👍
Paulie ********
Do not try to use one in work overalls it's a disaster soon learnt that in Malaysia
well I talk about our usual toilet in the western world. If can go there yourself - sit down and get up then I presume you can stand up bend forward a couple of seconds - but maybe it could be a problem later..
yep hang up your trousers or shorts and underwear for sure. Even if you manage the feat without soiling them, they're gonna get soaked by the bum gun and it'll look like you peed yourself 🤣🤣🤣
Reply to
Tim *********
Reply
Tim *********
your feet go on the sides and you crouch down. I know, it's difficult if you aren't too stable or have balance problems. I took to washing and wiping it, then sitting on it. That also had the benefit of not needing someone to pull me up again if my knees locked 🤣🤣🤣
Man I'm a let's say "sportive" person, and I had to do proper training until I've been able to achieve it 😆😆Even tho, I tried to look for the lazy toilet ones, don't like to risk too much ...😄
Reply to
Keiton *****
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Tord ****
Squat toilet. Dont hold on. Feet either side of the hole on the textured bit. Flush by bailing water from bucket into it until it clears. If you can’t do a deep squat and get back up, this will be extremely troublesome. Thats not a vegetable sprayer - it’s a butt sprayer.
if there isn't tissue available to dry...then just do a little twerk action to shake off excess water, then simply redress damp. Thailand is so humid that you tend to stay damp anyway so no big deal.
No! You certainly don’t face the wall for number twos.
Reply to
Ralph *******
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Marty *********
😂 over 7 years in Thailand and I’ve never had to squat. When I was a tourist I looked it up on the internet and practiced in the back yard. The most important lesson is to make sure nothing is going to fall out of your pockets. Make sure your cell phone is water resistant.
Just went through the motions. You don’t really want to be figuring this out for the first time in your moment of need as the comments in this post demonstrate.
I would say the same about the fancy Japanese electronic toilets. You should check out the controls before you need to use it.
it's best to take off your shorts and hang them on a hook, I've had one or two mishaps, it is also worse when there is no bum gun, just the plastic scoop in a big drum of water, and even more annoying when there no soap to clean your hands, which is very often the case on markets and such like, if you get caught short. 🤷🙆😂🤣😂
I've had one or mishaps with belt buckles hanging down, or things coming out my pockets, or even soilage, I've come to the conclusion just get them completely out the way, they will be hanging on a hook, while I do my business, there isn't always a right and wrong way, just do what works for you 😂🤣😂😉
Thailand is certainly progressing, but certain services are not as widely available as in the west, the country as a whole, is still a few years behind, that's my opinion anyway.