Thai deputy minister washes face with Mae Sai tap water amid arsenic concerns

CHIANG RAI — Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth has posted a video of himself washing his face with tap water in Mae Sai district to demonstrate his confidence in its safety, after residents raised concerns about possible arsenic contamination.

The video followed Jeseth’s inspection of a water treatment plant operated by the Provincial Waterworks Authority’s Mae Sai branch in Chiang Rai province, where he assured residents that the treated tap water was safe for household use and consumption.

However, some residents remain unconvinced, citing concerns about arsenic contamination reportedly exceeding safety limits.

The issue also prompted reactions on social media, with some users challenging the minister to drink the water himself if he was confident it was safe.

“If the tap water is really safe to use and drink, as he says, let the minister drink it first,” one online challenge read.

In response, Jeseth posted a video showing himself washing his face with tap water.

“I’m testing it on my own face. It makes me much more handsome,” he joked.

The demonstration came amid continuing public concern about water quality in Mae Sai, where some residents have switched to bottled water for drinking and cooking despite official assurances.

The video showed the minister using tap water on his face, rather than drinking it as some social media users had challenged him to do.

Washing one’s face with water does not establish whether it is safe to drink, and the report did not include laboratory results confirming arsenic levels in the treated water.