Toilet plan fails to sit flush with squatters

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Toilet plan fails to sit flush with squatters

Health ministry cops flak over seated loo push, with high costs and improper use among the concerns

Published: 25 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

A government plan to encourage Thais to switch from squat toilets to Western-style seated thrones has been poo-pooed by respondents to a Bangkok Post survey.

The survey found that many people prefer the squat models.

Under the Public Health Ministry's plan endorsed by the cabinet last Tuesday, all public toilets would be replaced with seated ones within three years.

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Jim mckenzieteam

Discussion 11 : 25 Feb 2013 at 23.2411
Important...when you thought our politics was screwed up
from iPhone application.
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bluebottle
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Discussion 10 : 25 Feb 2013 at 19.5710
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This is your governing party at its best is it?Come on wake up Thailand you are paying these people to come up with these hair brained ideas to protect there position and justify there jobs.Did he have some friends who produce sit on toilets?
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CMfarang
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Discussion 9 : 25 Feb 2013 at 12.369
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Maybe need picture directions for the proper use of this new contraption. Soapy water/disinfectant, swish around, rinse. Same-same, can do 1 minute. Squatters not so good for people with flat feet, sore back or females several months pregnant.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 8 : 25 Feb 2013 at 10.288
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The Japanese have abandoned the squat toilet for high-tech, state-of-the-art seated toilets that are extremely hygienic even in public locations. Why can't the Thais accomplish the same?

Public toilets in Thailand are generally filthy and not maintained properly. Whichever type of toilet there is, the surrounding area seems to be awash with all manner of effluent.

For a people who shower innumerable times a day and pride themselves on cleanliness, their toilets generally are quite disgusting.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 7 : 25 Feb 2013 at 09.237
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I don't believe this "news" and the posts in response. Is this something Roger Crutchley made up for fun?
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mogy71
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Discussion 6 : 25 Feb 2013 at 09.166
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'The ministry says the use of squat toilets contributes to degenerative joint disease' - well that's a clincher then !...
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Ramet in Dallas
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Discussion 5 : 25 Feb 2013 at 09.125
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Squatting is proven to align the body in the most natural position to eliminate waste. Six millin Thais suffer from degenerative joint disease caused by squat toilets? That's nearly 10% of the population. Thais should ALL be crippled by now as squat toilets have been the norm since forever. I am a Thai Massage practitioner and when I go to Issan, I give free massage to those over 60 and they are invariably limber, unlike city dwellers, and they invariably use squat toilets. It is also dangerous to squat on a toilet made for sitting for if it breaks, it can give horrible gashes. Have one sitting toilet for the aged and handicapped and keep the
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Ian
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Discussion 4 : 25 Feb 2013 at 09.044
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In most of rural Asia and poor urban areas, seated toilets are bare porcelain (no lift-able seat), have no flush, just an adjacent water tank and dipper. So you can squat or sit. I do a hovering sit.
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rontorr
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Discussion 3 : 25 Feb 2013 at 07.503
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In my home we have both, you can choose. I have seen many places that have 1 seated toilet and the rest squats. I would disagree with that 90% figure, I know of several people who as they got older have added a sitter.
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lookmoo
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Discussion 2 : 25 Feb 2013 at 06.342
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Seated WC have to complicated flushing system?? ... that take the price as a lame excuse.
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