The price of female sanitary products became a hot topic earlier this week after word spread online that the government classifies tampons as luxury items, resulting in high prices. Thai women everywhere were livid, of course.
The authorities have since denied the claim, saying no excise tax is being imposed on sanitary pads and tampons. However, they're still subject to VAT.
Cloth menstrual pads. (Photo courtesy of sunny cotton)
After making its way around the globe, the topic of a "tampon tax" is finally catching fire in Thailand. Each month, women face unavoidable costs, an especially acute problem for low-income and underprivileged women around the world, even in developed countries. Some can't even leave their house to go to school or work because they can't afford these necessities, thus losing out on valuable opportunities in life. Others make do with what they can, substituting toilet paper, newspaper or even socks.
What options do women have in dealing with this bloody situation today? What are the alternatives if they can't afford (or are allergic to) commercially available tampons and pads? In Thailand, we tend to joke about reverting back to using coconut spathe wrapped in loincloth to stem the monthly flow, as our great-great grandmothers would have done decades ago.
It's fortunate that we have a few practical options to choose from today. Menstrual cloth pads and menstrual cups have been gaining more popularity in recent years, especially with the amount of waste that hygiene products contribute to, thus negatively impacting the environment. Instead of buying single-use products, many women have turned to reusable alternatives like cloth pads and medical-grade silicone cups. While seemingly more expensive at first glance, they are more cost-effective in the long run.
And then, there are lesser-known alternatives. Period panties -- underwear designed to soak up menstrual blood without leakage -- have been gaining momentum overseas, though they have yet to catch on in Thailand. These panties can be washed after use and reused like ordinary panties.
Another item we recently came across is look jeab, which is a nickname for a menstrual sponge that can be inserted into the vagina to soak up the blood like a tampon. The nickname comes from its small size and yellow colour, which for some reason reminds people of a baby chicken.
So we have our options covered, mainstream and alternative. However, what we really want to see is these sanitary products being exempted from tax, and even given out for free, as is the case in some parts of the world. Will women ever be free from these period bills? We certainly hope to see that one day.
