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Chiang Mai: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 14:43, 18 July 2016
OVERVIEW
Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
In Thailand, you can buy birth control without a prescription. It is estimated that 72-78% of women (of fertility age) are on some form of modern birth control. According to one study, 23% were on the pill, 17% had an injectable/implant and 22% had been sterilized. In the last 25 years, the government has heavily campaigned for sex workers to use condoms under the 100% Condom Program. But they have not heavily focused on condom use in the general population. This has lead to many people outside of the sex worker community not using condoms, and instead opting for emergency contraception or contraception only instead.
What to Get & Where to Get It
You can buy birth control in nearly all the pharmacies (that are not herbal pharmacies) in Bangkok. Some reputable pharmacies are Boots, Watsons, P&F, Fascino and Siam Pharmacies . It's also recommended to buy from pharmacies that have aircon since the drugs are preserved in cooler/better environments. While there are some fake pills sold in Thai pharmacies, they tend to be for drugs like Viagra or Cialis. Since birth control is very cheap, it is less likely to be fake.
Condoms are easy to find in most pharmacies. One restaurant, Condoms and Cabbages, even gives out free condoms (Sukhumvit 12 Alley, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand). Note that Thai condoms run on the smaller side. As TravelFish wrote, "But for those who think they might be… well-endowed… you may wish to bring your x-large condoms from home" (Source: Travelfish - What to Bring with You to Bangkok).
Costs
A one month supply of birth control typically costs between 60 and 300 baht, which is about $2 - $10 (as of 2016).
Emergency Contraception
Important Note: The earlier you take emergency contraception, the more effectively it will work. Take it as soon as possible.
Laws & Social Stigmas
You should be able to buy emergency contraception with little social stigma in Chiang Mai. EC is cheap and widely used by Thais of all ages, including teenagers, living in Chiang Mai, and there are no restrictions imposed on its use.
What to Get & Where to Get It
In Thai, emergency contraception is ยากันท้อง or "Ya kun tong." You can get emergency contraception without a prescription at pharmacies. For dedicated EC pills (progestin only), there is Madonna and Postinor. For both brands, you take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex. For progestin-estrogen combined (birth control pills), you can take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later with the following brands: FMP, Jeny FMP, Nordiol, Ovidon and Ovral. You can also take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later with the following brands: Anna, Lo-Femenal, Microgest, Microgest ED, Microgynon 30 ED, Microgynon-30, Nordette, Nordette 28, Nordette-21, R-den, Riget, Rigevidon and Rigevidon 21 + 7.
Costs
Emergency contraception was reported as 50 baht in 2009.
Medication & Vaccines
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
For many STD medications in Thailand, you may be tested in advance or show a prescription before receiving treatment (since they are antibiotics). But they should be generally available.For Trichomoniasis, Metronidazole should be available. For gonorrhea, the treatment is a bit more tricky, since gonorrhea in Asia (and specifically in Thailand) is resistant to many antibiotics. so you should go to the hospital to see how they can treat you. While treatment may vary, you may get Azithromycin or a a shot of a Cephalosporin. HPV vaccines, like Gardasil, are reportedly available in Thailand. PreP is available in Thailand, but is mostly used in trials with men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG) women, women and people who inject drugs. Truvada is registered for treatment but not prevention. People with HIV/AIDS can bring their medications into Thailand, and there are no travel restrictions. Protease inhibitors only exist as original formula.
Costs
Menstruation
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Pads and tampons without applicators (OB) are widely available. You may be able to find tampons with applicators in Boots or other large pharmacies/drug stores. There are no known sellers for DivaCup or MoonCup in Thailand so you'll need to buy them online.
Costs
Gynecological Exams
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing & Support
Laws & Social Stigmas
Like all countries, there are stigmas attached to STDs in Thailand. But the country has also made solid progress in HIV prevention and education. According to AVERT, "In 2013, Thailand was one of only two countries in Asia and the Pacific, (along with Cambodia) that had more than 50% of people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment. In Thailand, 56% of adults who are eligible for treatment are receiving it, alongside 62% of children."
What to Get & Where to Get It
- CM MedicClinic - "Our Safer2Know service provides complete confidential consultations, testing and treatments for HIV, Chlamydia, Herpes, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and Hepatitis. Including HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and HPV Vaccines."155/28 Jed Yod-Yu Yen Soi 10, T Changphueak, A Mueang, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand. Website: http://www.cmmediclinic.com/
- Loi Kroh Clinic - 62/2 Loikroh Road, T Changklan, A Muang, Chiang Mai 50100. Tel: 053 271571. an account of getting tested at this clinic.
- Piman Center - LGBT friendly; 35/7 Soi 13, Nimmanhemin Road, Tambol Suthep, Muang District, Chiang Mai, Tel 053211363, 053895166, 0855201176. Website: www.pimancenter.com/
Costs
Pregnancy
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Abortion
Laws & Social Stigmas
In Thailand, abortion law is ambiguous. On the one hand, it is only legal under certain conditions, which are: to save the life of the woman, to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, or when the pregnancy is due to a criminal offense (i.e. rape or incest). It is not legal for economic/social reasons or available upon request. Under the Thai Penal Code of November 13 1956, abortions are generally prohibited, and they are only allowed in certain instances. If women cause their own abortion or allow anyone else to do so (when they are not allowed to get an abortion), they face up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of maximum 6000 baht. A person who procures an abortion with a pregnant woman's consent may receive up to 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of 10,000 baht.
On the other hand, according to a UN report, "In practice, the law is not rigorously enforced. The prevalence of illegal abortion has been widely documented, particularly in the rural areas of the country." There are supposed to be around 15 clinics that provide abortion care somewhat openly in Thailand, most notably Klong Tun Medical Center in Bangkok.
What to Get & Where to Get It
Women receive illegal abortions or grey-area legal abortions in Thailand every year. While there is one known safe abortion center in Bangkok (Klong Tun Medical Center... check the Bangkok page for details, we don't know of any in Chiang Mai. Anybody? For cheaper options, there are some less well-known or underground abortion clinics. But they may not be very safe, and they are not recommended. It is estimated that there are 400,000 illegal abortions in Thailand every year. For more information, check out this blog entry about getting an abortion at Klong Tun Medical Center in 2011) and this Rewire article about abortions in Thailand.
Costs
Advocacy & Counseling
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
- Global Alliance Against Trafficking Women (GAATW), 191 Sivalai Condominium, Issaraphap Road, Soi 33, Bangkok Yai, 10600 Bangkok, Thailand, Mailing address:, PO Box 1281, Bangkok Post Office,, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, Tel: 662 8641427/28, Fax: 662 864163, E-mail: mailto:gaatw@mozart.inet.co.th, URL: http://www.inet.co.th/org/gaatw
- Foundation for Women (FFW) - Does preventative/awareness work around domestic violence and trafficking of women (http://www.womenthai.org/eng)
Costs
List of Additional Resources
- Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand - http://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/thailand
- National Council of Women of Thailand - http://www.inet.co.th/org/ncwt
- National Commission on Women's Affairs (Thailand) - http://www.inet.co.th/org/tncwa
- New Life Center - P.O. Box 29, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand, Tel/fax: 66-53-244-569
- Women's Studies Center, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiangmai University - Chiangmai 50200, Thailand Lanna Women Center, Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University 50200 T: 66 05 2 221699
- Women Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) - Chiang Mai University, PO Box 58, Chiang Mai 50202, Thailand, Tel/fax (66-53) 278-945, 260-193
- Asia Pacific Forum on Women Law and Development (APWLD) - Santhitham Y.M.C.A Building, 11 Sermsuk Road, Mengrairasmi, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand, Tel: (66-53) 404-613/404-614, Fax: (66-53) 404-615, Email: apwld@loxinfo.co.th
- Global Alliance Against Trafficking Women (GAATW), 191 Sivalai Condominium, Issaraphap Road, Soi 33, Bangkok Yai, 10600 Bangkok, Thailand, Mailing address:, PO Box 1281, Bangkok Post Office,, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, Tel: 662 8641427/28, Fax: 662 864163, E-mail: mailto:gaatw@mozart.inet.co.th, URL: http://www.inet.co.th/org/gaatw