Menstrual Health in Thailand: Tampons, Cups & What's Actually Available

The real talk: This is the guide no mainstream travel blog writes. Managing your period while traveling isn't complicated — but it does require some planning, especially in Thailand. This is a practical, no-shame breakdown of what's available, where to find it, and how to manage your period depending on where you are in Thailand.

What's Available in Thailand (The Real Breakdown)

Pads: Widely Available Everywhere

If you use pads, you're in good shape in Thailand. They're available at:

• 7-Eleven and FamilyMart (convenience stores everywhere)
• CVS-equivalent pharmacies
• Big C, Central, and other supermarkets
• Local shops in even small towns

Brands available:

• Thai brands (Laurier, etc.)
• International: Whisper, Always, Sofy
• Pricing: 50-120B for a pack of 10-16 pads (roughly equivalent to Western prices)

Quality: Good. Selection is solid. You're not doing without pads in Thailand.

Tampons: Available, But With Limits

Here's where you need to plan:

Bangkok: Tampon paradise

• Boots, Watsons (pharmacies)
• Central, Terminal 21, EmQuartier (shopping malls)
• Private pharmacies
• Brands: Ob, Tampax, some local brands
• Pricing: 120-180B for a pack of 16-20 tampons

Chiang Mai: Still decent

• Boots and Watsons have tampons
• Bigger supermarkets carry them
• Usually available but smaller selection than Bangkok
• Same brands and pricing

Islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta): This is where it gets sparse

• Pads are everywhere
• Tampons: maybe one pharmacy on the island has them
• Brands and selection: very limited
• Pricing: potentially marked up

Northern Thailand (Pai, Nan, remote areas): Plan ahead

• Pads at local shops: easy
• Tampons: very rare to nonexistent
• Stock up in Chiang Mai before heading to remote north

Border towns and rural areas: Pads only; tampons unlikely

The strategy: If you use tampons, stock up in Bangkok before heading to islands or remote areas. If you're committed to tampons, buy a 1-month supply in Bangkok and you're fine. But tampon availability outside major cities is unreliable.

Menstrual Cups: Bring From Home

Menstrual cups are not commonly sold in Thai shops. Your options:

• Bring from home — best option, no hassle
• Order online — if staying long-term in Bangkok, Lazada and Shopee deliver within 2-3 days, but shipping cost might be higher than the cup itself

Popular brands (Luna, DivaCup, Saalt) are available on Lazada/Shopee for 300-600B, which is actually reasonable.

Period Underwear: Bring From Home

Not widely available in Thai retail stores. If you use them, pack a few pairs. Long-term travelers can order from Lazada/Shopee, but it's not a product you'll find in mainstream Thai shops.

Menstrual Discs: Bring From Home

Not available in Thailand. If you use a disc, bring your supply.

Managing Your Period by Destination

Bangkok: Everything Available, Zero Stress

Stock up here. This is your chance to buy whatever menstrual products you prefer, in whatever quantity you want. Plan a pharmacy run in your first few days.

Where to shop:

• Watsons (pharmacy chain, throughout city)
• Boots (premium pharmacy, English-speaking staff)
• Big C or other supermarkets (good selection, cheap)

Islands: Pads Yes, Tampons No

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta — they all have pads everywhere. Tampons are maybe one pharmacy on the island, if that.

If you use tampons: Buy enough in Bangkok to cover your island stay. You cannot count on finding them on island.

If you use pads: Zero stress, they're in every shop.

If you use a cup: Perfect — bring it and you're completely independent of local availability.

Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Pai, Nan): Plan Your Supply

Chiang Mai city proper: Boots/Watsons have tampons, no problem.

Pai and Nan: Pads yes, tampons unlikely. Stock up in Chiang Mai if needed.

Pro tip: When you're in Chiang Mai, buy enough tampons (if you use them) to cover your entire northern Thailand leg. That one pharmacy trip saves stress later.

Period and Beach/Island Life

Swimming During Your Period

If you use pads: Pads don't work in the ocean. You need:

• Tampons, or
• Menstrual cup, or
• Period underwear (stays mostly dry underwater), or
• Take the day off swimming

If you use tampons or a cup: Swimming is totally fine. Just change your tampon or rinse your cup after swimming.

Ocean water safety: It won't damage your menstrual products or cause infection. Standard hygiene applies.

Heat and Humidity

Thailand's heat and humidity mean two things for menstrual health:

1. Change products more frequently — bacteria and fungus grow faster in warm, humid environments. If you normally change your pad every 6 hours, change every 4-5 hours in Thailand heat.

2. Cotton underwear is your friend — breathable fabric prevents yeast overgrowth. Thai weather makes yeast infections more common.

Bathroom Access on Islands

Most beaches have basic bathroom facilities. Quality varies. What you can count on:

• Squat toilets in some places (pads are easy, tampons require a bit of planning)
• Bring your own hand sanitizer (good hygiene practice anyway)
• Change facilities are basic but adequate

Managing Period Timing

If You're on Hormonal Birth Control

You can talk to your doctor about timing your period around your trip. Many contraceptive pills and patches allow you to skip your period that month, or you can stack packs to delay it.

Important: Ask your doctor before traveling. Don't experiment with hormone timing while traveling.

If You're Not on Hormonal BC

You can't control your period, but you can mentally prepare. Pack 1.5x your normal monthly supply to avoid stress if you run out.

Emergency Contraception in Thailand

If you need emergency contraception:

• Postinor-2 (levonorgestrel) — available OTC at most Thai pharmacies, 200-300B
• ellaOne (ulipristal) — more effective up to 5 days; harder to find, slightly pricier
• Cost in Bangkok: 300-500B at most pharmacies, no prescription needed
• Availability on islands: Less reliable; grab it in a major city if possible

Effectiveness is highest within 72 hours of unprotected sex (Postinor) or 120 hours (ellaOne).

Pain Management

OTC Medications in Thailand

Both of these are available without prescription at any Thai pharmacy:

• Ibuprofen (Brufen) — 200mg tablets, very cheap
• Mefenamic Acid (Ponstan) — stronger, specifically for menstrual cramps, even cheaper

Standard dosing (ibuprofen 400mg every 6 hours, mefenamic acid 500mg every 6-8 hours) works the same as at home.

Pricing: Both run 10-20B per tablet, so you're spending maybe 100-150B for a month's supply.

Heat Patches for Cramps

Available at Thai pharmacies:

• Salonpas and similar heat patch brands
• 100-150B per patch
• Effective for cramps, especially combined with medication

Yeast Infections & Heat Rash

Thailand heat and humidity create perfect conditions for yeast infections. This is normal, not a sign you're doing something wrong.

Prevention

• Change menstrual products more frequently
• Wear breathable cotton underwear
• Dry your underwear completely (humidity means slow drying — hang in the sun, not in the bathroom)
• Avoid tight clothing in high heat

Treatment

Clotrimazole cream (Canesten equivalent):

• Available OTC at Thai pharmacies
• 1% or 2% cream, apply as directed
• 200-400B per tube
• Works in 7-10 days; you can also use the 3-dose tablet version (Diflucan equivalent is fluconazole, available OTC)

Fluconazole (Diflucan equivalent):

• Single-dose oral antifungal, very effective
• Available OTC as "Fluconazole" at Thai pharmacies
• One dose is 150mg, costs around 30-50B at pharmacies (extremely cheap)
• Works in 3-5 days
• Available everywhere in Thailand

Most yeast infections clear within a week with either treatment.

Travel Insurance Note

Menstrual health complications (endometriosis flares, severe dysmenorrhea, etc.) are rarely specifically covered by travel insurance, but a good policy covers emergency medical care for any health condition.

Recommended travel insurance:

• SafetyWing ($45-70 for a month)
• World Nomads ($30-80 depending on coverage)
• ACS (good Asia coverage)

Check your policy's coverage for "existing conditions" if you have a menstrual-related condition like endometriosis.

Quick Pharmacy Phrasebook (Thai)

You probably won't need this, but just in case:

• Tampons: "tampon" (yes, English word, Thai pharmacists know it)
• Pads: "pad" or "sanitary pads" (also English)
• Menstrual cup: "menstrual cup" works; might help to show them a picture
• Ibuprofen: "Brufen" (brand name everyone knows)
• Yeast cream: "Clotrimazole" or "Canesten"

Most pharmacists in cities speak some English. Show them what you need if words fail.

Packing Strategy

For Bangkok/Major Cities (1-2 Weeks)

• Bring minimal menstrual products
• Plan a pharmacy run in first few days
• Buy local supply in Bangkok
• This saves luggage space and you can customize to what you like

For Islands (1-4 Weeks)

• If tampons: buy 1.5x your expected supply in Bangkok or Chiang Mai
• If pads: buy one pack locally, pads are everywhere
• If cup: bring it, you're independent

For Remote North (1-2 Weeks)

• Tampons: absolutely stock up in Chiang Mai first
• Pads: can find locally but bring a pack just in case
• Cup: bring it, absolutely most practical

Rule of Thumb

Arrive in major city → buy extra supply → head to remote area. This 10-minute pharmacy run saves stress and money.

The Bottom Line

Managing your period in Thailand is straightforward:

✅ Pads are everywhere, any time, no problem ✅ Tampons are easy in cities, sparse elsewhere (plan ahead) ✅ Menstrual cups are perfect if you bring one ✅ Pain medication and yeast treatment are cheap and OTC ✅ Heat + humidity requires slightly more frequent product changes

Your menstrual health doesn't have to be a major logistical challenge while traveling in Thailand. It just requires a bit of upfront planning, especially if you have strong preferences about what products you use.

Come prepared, but don't stress. Millions of menstruating travelers have navigated this exact situation in Thailand. You will too.