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Is it safe to use filtered water for brewing tea in Thailand?

Apr 15, 2025
21 hours ago
Erik ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Absolutely not visa-related, this is and more: Am I being overly cautious when I brew my tea with filtered water? Normally Oolong tea which can take some heat so bring the water to approx 90C. Shouldn’t this kill all the buggers? Not to save money, I use a communal water-dispenser which gives 20 ltrs at 10 Baht. It’s to save my knees from the horror of toting the water. Tia
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation centers around the safety of using filtered water, especially from communal dispensers or tap water, for brewing tea in Thailand. While boiling water (to 100C) can kill bacteria, concerns are raised about the presence of heavy metals and impurities, particularly lead pipes in some areas, which boiling won't eliminate. Responses vary from personal experiences using tap water without issue to warnings about potential chemicals and overall water quality in different regions of Thailand.
Kenny *****
The tap water at least in bkk has so much impurities, i only use bottle water for consumption, cooking drinking etc...
Jeff *******
Does boiling remove the lead in the pipes?
Todd *******
What a load of crock how old are you
Paul *********
I went 9 months, using tap water in the kettle. Then the juristic cleaned the tanks and I got a proper clean out. Not I use bottles
Frank **********
Boiling will kill bacteria but there may be heavy metals and other chemicals in the water.
Donald ******
You have to wear gloves when pouring! Plus wear a mask in case.
Mark **********
Thailand has filtered and treated water the problem is that lead pipe are still present in some places and boiling will have very little effect on that.
Joseph ****
@Mark *********
This.

I am not familar with the city water of Bangkok, but in many a developing-world city the water supply has heavy metals and other toxins leaching into the ground or river source due to improperly disposed industrial water and waste upstream. Boiling does absolutely nothing to remove these toxins. And water softeners add sodium to your intake.

If somebody has recent research about the BKK water supply, would be much obliged. Oh, and the "I'm drinking it and I feel fine" comments are only helpful for short-term visitors. Anyone living here for years can be exposed to harmful buildup of metals in the water supply. It's doesn't slap you in the face right away.
Ho ******
Imagine... you can heat it to 100 and wait till it has 90 and then put it on the tea! 🙂
Dany ********
i only use bottled mineral water for everything food/drink related… people here just dont know how terrible the water is longterm… all the cheap water you can buy is also filtered tap water with close to zero minerals.
Tore *********
@Dany *******
definitely should supplement with electrolytes
Adrian *******
Boiling (100C) will kill most . But 90C is not hot enough. Why not boil your water for 10 sec and then add to the tea? In general for making tea use freshly boiled, well oxygenated water (dont boil the crap our of it as it looses O2). Most prefer hard water too. Personally I dont use tap water for drinking in Thailand (have seen some very ill folk). BKK water can be quite salty too, especially in the wet season when sea water backflows under the city.
Paul *****
-Good videos on brewing tea:
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Graham ******
It depends where in Thailand you are. This would not be recommended out in the wilds somewhere but most "city water" should be ok for boiling
Steve *******
@Graham *****
I'd say it's the other way around
Graham ******
@Steve ******
I walk past the small reservoir that our mains water is pumped from ;)
Darren *******
Absolutely fine mate. Used boiled tap water daily for about 6 months and not had a problem once.
Charles **********
I never use bottled water for tea. Always from the tap. But that’s just me.
Julian ***********
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