In Southeast Asia, toilet styles reflect deep-rooted cultural practices, public infrastructure, and shifting preferences influenced by modernization.
Among the most common types of toilets in the region is the squat toilet, used by millions for centuries and still prevalent in many parts of the region.
While some countries maintain squat toilets as the norm in homes, public spaces, and rural areas, others are gradually replacing them with sitting toilets, particularly in urban centers and tourist-heavy zones.
The distribution of toilet types across Southeast Asia highlights a fascinating balance between tradition, practicality, and modern comfort.
The Enduring Presence of Squat Toilets
Squat toilets remain the default in many Southeast Asian countries, especially in rural areas and lower-income urban neighborhoods. These toilets are simple in design, usually a ceramic or concrete pan level with the floor that requires users to squat rather than sit.
For many, this design is seen as more hygienic because it avoids direct contact with the toilet seat, and it’s also often considered better for digestive health and bowel movement posture.
Countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar still widely use squat toilets. In these countries, squat toilets can be found in most public restrooms, train stations, schools, traditional markets, and rural homes.
In fact, in many of these places, sitting toilets may still be rare outside of hotels, malls, and newer buildings in major cities.
In Indonesia, for example, squat toilets are still extremely common, particularly outside Jakarta and Bali. Many homes, even in semi-urban areas, are still equipped with squat toilets, and water for cleaning is often provided via a bucket or dipper rather than toilet paper.
Similarly, in Cambodia and Laos, squat toilets dominate in rural areas, with access to sitting toilets mostly limited to high-end establishments or major city hotels.
In Myanmar, although urban development has increased the availability of modern plumbing, squat toilets remain standard in most public places.
The Rise of Sitting Toilets
While squat toilets are still dominant in much of the region, there has been a significant shift toward sitting toilets, particularly in countries that have seen rapid economic development and tourism growth.
Nations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore have increasingly adopted sitting toilets as the preferred option in urban and upscale settings.
In Thailand, for instance, squat toilets are still common in rural provinces and local establishments, but modern buildings, shopping malls, and hotels in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai overwhelmingly use sitting toilets.
The government has also invested in upgrading public toilet facilities to cater to tourists and residents who prefer more Western-style amenities.
Malaysia exhibits a similar trend. While squat toilets are still found in public schools, rural restrooms, and older facilities, urban areas like Kuala Lumpur now favor sitting toilets in both homes and public places.
The Malaysian government has also set standards for public restrooms to include both types, allowing people to choose based on preference or familiarity.
Singapore stands out as the most modernized nation in Southeast Asia in terms of sanitation infrastructure. Sitting toilets are standard across virtually all homes and public buildings.
While squat toilets can occasionally still be found in older public restrooms or hawker centers, they are now the exception rather than the norm. Singapore’s advanced plumbing systems and high standards of hygiene have led to near-universal adoption of sitting toilets.
Cultural Preferences and Practical Considerations
The preference for squat or sitting toilets in Southeast Asia is not just about modernity; it’s also about habit, cultural comfort, and economic factors. In countries where people have grown up using squat toilets, switching to sitting toilets may feel uncomfortable or even unsanitary.
Some users believe that squatting is a more “natural” position for relieving oneself and appreciate the minimal physical contact required by squat toilets.
At the same time, sitting toilets are increasingly seen as a sign of luxury or modern living. With rising incomes and increasing exposure to Western habits through media and tourism, many urban Southeast Asians have embraced sitting toilets as part of a more comfortable lifestyle.
However, cost and water access remain key barriers to a full transition, especially in poorer regions.
Balancing Tradition and Modern Needs
The persistence of squat toilets in Southeast Asia is a reminder of the region’s cultural resilience and practicality.
While urbanization and globalization have brought sitting toilets to the forefront in many cities, squat toilets continue to serve millions of people every day in both functional and culturally meaningful ways.
As infrastructure improves and societies modernize, many countries are offering both toilet types to accommodate a broader range of preferences and needs, symbolizing a bridge between traditional practices and modern comforts.
