Assessment of Public Toilet Standards in Park, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This research study aimed to assess the standard of 12 toilets in 5 public parks of Mueang district, Surat Thani province, compared with the national standard of public toilets (HAS); and assess coliform bacteria contamination using coliform bacteria test (SI-2) with 132 samples. Data were analyzed by frequency and percentage. It was found that all toilets did not pass the standard level; with the lowest standard at the Koh Klang B ang Talu Park where the health (H), accessibility (A) and safety (S) standards were at 55.56%, 100.00% and 40.00% respectively. The problems identified were dirty stains on the floor, insufficient toilet paper, unavailabilitry of soaps for hand washing, and trash cans without lids. For the coliform bacteria, higher contamination was found in male toilets than the female’s (23.61% and 16.67%, respectively). The highest bacteria contamination was 33.33% in male toilets at the toilet bowl covers, spray lines and urinal flush buttons while 25.00% of female toilets were contaminated at spray lines and toilet flush buttons. Thus, relevant agencies should have a mechanism to monitor and improve the environment of the public toilets to meet the standards which would benefit the good health and safety of the users.