No one drinks water from the tap in Thailand. When water is served to you it will be in, or from a bottle. For home use, bottled water is available at any store that sells food or drinks. Bottles are available in various sizes, all the way up to 6 liters. Actually I think I’ve seen one size larger, but don’t quote me on this.

Bottled water is cheep. A 6 liter runs you approximately 35 Baht. Even at that price it can add up, so most refill their bottles from one of two different bulk sources…

5 GALLON BOTTLES
These are exactly like the bottles you have probably seen in America. The difference is no one uses a dispenser. Instead they use a combination hand pump and siphon to transfer water to smaller bottles. Basically you pump just enough to get a siphon going. I’ve watched someone do it once, but have never actually tried it myself.

The 5 gallon bottles are delivered to your door by the apartment management. They know to deliver a full bottle when you set an empty outside your door. I believe the cost for each bottle is around 20 Baht.

COIN DISPENCERS
The alternative option is to refill your bottles from a coin operated water dispenser. This is the method I use. I just happen to have a machine within short walking distance of my apartment. My apartment is small, so I don’t want the big 5 gallon bottle taking up any of the limited space available.

The machine is easy to use. Simply place the open bottle under the dispensing tube, drop in some coins, and press the start/stop button. When the bottle is full, press the button again to stop the water flow. Put the next empty in and repeat the process. The cost is one Baht per liter. The problem I have is there’s always a little more water left to dispense than I have empty bottles for. Of course, someone near by is more than happy to take advantage of it when I leave.