Bangkok

Thailand / Central Thailand / Bangkok

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 in 1998, 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 it has not so heavily focused on condom use in the general population. This has lead to many people outside of the sex worker community not using condoms.

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, Chulalongkorn University's Pharmacy. 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. However, if you prefer a more hands-on appointment with a doctor, you can visit Bumrungrad (Suk. Soi 1), Bangkok Hospital (Soonwijai off Petchburi Rd) or BNH (Soi Convent off Silom Road). For less expensive, go to Bangkok Christian on Silom Road.

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

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

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.

STD Tests

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can get an STD test at Thai Red Cross (04 Ratchadamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok).