Permanent secretary Sakthip Krairiksh said the project was part of a plan to upgrade public facilities at tourist sites.

Sakthip said the ministry had developed a new prototype for hygienic public toilets.

It will install the first one in Chiang Mai, at Doi Suthep, by year-end, then turn its sights to Phuket's Patong Beach.

Earlier this year, the ministry

decided to install public toilets at all tourist areas but subsequently capped the number at 74 due to budget constraints.

The ministry will maintain the toilets for the first few months after they are installed and then transfer ownership to a local administration body.

The Public Health Ministry will oversee cleanliness.

Sakthip noted that the World Toilet Organisation had selected Bangkok for the World Toilet Expo and Forum 2006.

It will be held from November 16 to 18 at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani and is expected to help the country upgrade its public toilets.

The global toilet body sees the event as a potential catalyst for the development and standardisation of public toilet services in Thailand.

"If you have better toilets you will have more tourists," it said.

The first World Toilet Expo drew 250 participants from 20 countries to Shanghai in May 2005.

Representatives from 35 countries are scheduled to convene on Bangkok to brainstorm guidelines for global toilet standards.

An exhibition will showcase the latest innovations in hygiene-related products.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

Pattaya