It doesn’t make any difference if you are in a private residence, or a commercial establishment. In Thailand it’s called the toilet. Try any thing else (bathroom, restroom, water closet, facilities, men’s room) and you most likely will not be understood.

Saying you have to go pee won’t work either. No matter what you need to do, just say, “I have to go to the toilet.”

It’s a good idea to carry a few one Baht coins with you. Many commercial establishments, such as shopping malls, will expect you to pay one Baht for the use of their facilities.

In most homes, and some public facilities, you will find a spray nozzle, similar to those found in many American kitchens, hanging next to the toilet. It is used to rinse off, while sitting on the toilet. I assume paper is used to dry off, but I have been in public places that did not have paper in the stalls…OH DEAR!

My guess is the modern spray nozzle is a carry over from the traditional squat toilet, still used in Thailand. In big cities, like Bangkok, you won’t encounter the squat toilet very often, but they do exist. I have had the pleasure once. Fortunately I only had to pee.

I think a picture is worth a thousand words. The tub of water is used to rinse off when done. I’m not sure how you wash your hands after, as soap is apparently not available in most places. I’ve read these take a little practice, and its best to remove your pants or risk getting them soiled.