While it is true that the water from the taps in Thailand is not really safe to drink, no one here is silly enough to make ice cubes with tap water. Most ice comes from ice-making machines, which are connected to a clean and safe water supply.

In 2026, the general rule remains: Do not drink tap water in Thailand, even in high-end luxury resorts. While many modern resorts have sophisticated on-site filtration and UV sterilization systems, the infrastructure of the local piping can still lead to bacterial contamination (like E. coli) or heavy metal deposits. To ensure guest safety, almost all reputable resorts provide complimentary bottled water or sealed glass carafes in your room daily. You should use this water for drinking and even for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach. It is also safe to drink ice in resorts, as it is almost universally made from purified "factory ice." If you are adventurous and traveling outside the resort, always stick to sealed bottled water or use a high-quality travel filter bottle. Drinking tap water is the fastest way to ruin a Thai holiday with a preventable gastrointestinal illness.