Thailand scrapping squat loos for sit downs due to alarming number of arthritis cases
Just over 85% of households and public facilities use ankle-high Nile pans, but these are being blamed as a cause of osteoarthritis of the knee
Seat-wave: A Thai beach
Thai people were relieved yesterday... to hear the country is scrapping its squat loos.The Public Health Ministry revealed it will remove 90% of their bog-standard toilets by 2016 and replace them with sit-downs.The poop-ular move comes due to an alarming number of people suffering from squat-related arthritis.Just over 85% of households and public facilities use ankle-high Nile pans.But these are being blamed as a cause of osteoarthritis of the knee.Deputy Minister, Cholanan Srikaew, revealed that six million natives – and some expats – have the condition.It is also hoped new facilities will improve tourism, which earns 7% of Thailand’s gross domestic product.A source said: “Prolonged periods of squatting have been found to cause arthritis. It is hoped thenew toilets will save a few more knees and boost tourism.”
Just over 85% of households and public facilities use ankle-high Nile pans, but these are being blamed as a cause of osteoarthritis of the knee
Seat-wave: A Thai beach
Thai people were relieved yesterday... to hear the country is scrapping its squat loos.The Public Health Ministry revealed it will remove 90% of their bog-standard toilets by 2016 and replace them with sit-downs.The poop-ular move comes due to an alarming number of people suffering from squat-related arthritis.Just over 85% of households and public facilities use ankle-high Nile pans.But these are being blamed as a cause of osteoarthritis of the knee.Deputy Minister, Cholanan Srikaew, revealed that six million natives – and some expats – have the condition.It is also hoped new facilities will improve tourism, which earns 7% of Thailand’s gross domestic product.A source said: “Prolonged periods of squatting have been found to cause arthritis. It is hoped thenew toilets will save a few more knees and boost tourism.”