Why Thais Prefer Water Over Toilet Paper?

What Is the "Bum Gun"? Meet Thailand’s Sup Spray Hose

Walk into any bathroom in Thailand, from city hotels to roadside gas stations, and you’ll find a device by the toilet that catches foreign visitors’ curiosity: the “bum gun.” In Thailand, this isn’t a weapon, it’s a handheld water spray nozzle (often called a bidet spray, health faucet, or in Thai, “sup spray hose”). This handy fixture has become such a daily essential that once many expats or travelers try it, they never want to go back to using dry toilet paper alone.

What’s So Great About the Bum Gun?

While Westerners are often introduced to bidets as luxury bathroom additions, in Thailand (and much of Southeast Asia), using water for personal hygiene is the norm. There are several reasons Thais love their sup spray hose:

• Cleanliness: Water cleans more thoroughly and gently than paper, no lingering residue or irritation.
• Comfort: Especially in hot weather or after spicy food, using cool water feels refreshing compared to scratchy paper!
• Eco-friendly: Using the spray dramatically reduces toilet paper waste. (Most Thais use a small amount for drying only.)
• Cost-effective: No need to keep restocking rolls of TP, water is cheap and always available.
• Plumbing friendly: Thai plumbing isn’t designed for flushing lots of paper, using less helps avoid clogs.

How to Use the Bum Gun (Without Soaking Yourself!)

If you’re a first-timer, using the bum gun can feel a little intimidating. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to staying fresh—and dry:

• Step 1: After doing your business, stay seated. Lean slightly forward on the seat for balance.
• Step 2: Grab the spray hose, usually mounted to the wall within easy reach.
• Step 3: Aim the nozzle carefully under your backside. Angle it slightly backward or to the side to avoid spraying your legs.
• Step 4: Gently squeeze the trigger. Start with a light touch! The water pressure can be surprising.
• Step 5: Move the spray as needed until you feel clean. Most people use short, controlled bursts, no need for a firehose approach.
• Step 6: Let any excess water drip off, then pat dry with a sheet or two of toilet paper.

Bonus tip: If you’re worried about getting your pants or shoes wet, you can partially close the door and face the toilet while cleaning, but for most, a careful aim is all you need!

Bum Gun Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand

While the bum gun is easy to use, there are a few unspoken rules in Thai bathrooms:

• Do: Keep the spray hose tidy and return it to its hook after use.
• Do: Use only a small amount of toilet paper to dry; never throw paper into the toilet. Use the bin provided.
• Don’t: Spray all over the seat or floor, try to keep the area clean for the next person.
• Don’t: Drink the water. The bum gun uses tap water, which isn’t always potable in Thailand.

Why Don’t Thais Use Toilet Paper Alone?

For most Thais, water has always represented cleanliness and refreshment, especially in a tropical climate. Traditional Thai homes sometimes had an earthenware jar (“ong”) and dipper (“kra dome”) in bathrooms for washing; the bum gun is just the modern upgrade. Using only toilet paper is considered less clean, and many Thai bathrooms (especially outside big cities) don’t have toilet paper at all!

After trying it, many visitors report the same thing: they start to prefer the clean, fresh, and eco-friendly sensation of water. The “sup spray hose” is so addictive that some expats have even installed them when they return home.

Bum Guns Around the World: Thailand Leads the Way

Thailand didn’t invent bidet sprays, but the sup spray hose has become so universal here that it’s part of everyday life. You’ll find bum guns in:

• Hotels, shopping malls, and airports (including Suvarnabhumi Airport hotels)
• Gas station and roadside bathrooms across the country
• Private homes and rental apartments

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, bum guns are normal too, but in Europe and North America, they’re still rare. For many Thailand visitors, trying the bum gun is just one of the cultural discoveries that sticks with you (sometimes literally, if you miss the aim!).

For Travelers: Extra Tips for Thai Bathrooms

• BYOTP: Many public bathrooms don’t provide toilet paper or charge for it, always carry a small pack, just in case.
• Change pockets: Some public toilets have a small fee (2-10 baht) for entry.
• Don’t flush paper: Put used TP in the bin to avoid clogs.
• Practice makes perfect: It’s normal to be clumsy at first, embrace the splash, aim carefully, and soon you’ll be a convert.

If you want to know more about other Thai bathroom customs and general etiquette, check out our full guide for expats and travelers.

Key takeaways

• The Thai bum gun (sup spray hose) is a daily bathroom essential for hygiene and comfort
• It’s more effective, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly than toilet paper alone
• Proper technique helps you spray without soaking your clothes or legs
• Toilet paper is for drying only; always place it in the bin, not the toilet
• Once you try it, you might become a bum gun convert for life!