A gender advocacy group fears that a campaign for scrapping the tax on period products will stall due to political instability.
The group submitted a proposal to lawmakers two months ago.
The group, Thammasat Reduce Gender Disparity, demands the abolition of the 7% value-added tax on sanitary pads, and a provision of these products for students. On March 24, the group handed the complaint to Move Forward Party MP Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, spokesperson for the House committee on children, youth, women, the elderly, the disabled, ethnic groups and LGBTI people.
Papanasin Pinkaew, the group's leader, said the House committee will discuss tax cancellation in detail, but promised to offer free sanitary pads for students, detained youths and inmates.
"I think tax abolition won't happen anytime soon because we don't have political stability. Parliament dissolution is making the rounds. The House committee is now dealing with more urgent issues," he told a recent forum sponsored by the Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health Including HIV/Aids Thailand.
Tunyawaj told the Bangkok Post that the campaign for removing tax on sanitary towels is in the queue for deliberation. He has also been reviewing the law on sex work for the past two months.
Papanasin said women should not be taxed on period products because menstruation occurs naturally in those of reproductive age and high prices hinder access to personal hygiene products. Some women who are allergic to the less expensive products struggle to afford more expensive and better brands.
"Many countries have abolished the tax on period products. In the UK, the government finally scrapped it on Jan 1 after a five-year fight by campaigners. African countries and India also axed the tampon tax," he said.
Scotland is the first country in the world to make period products free for all after a four-year campaign. The country passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act last November.
Papanasin said the tax cancellation will inject a large amount of money into economy. The Ministry of Public Health says that women use 25 sanitary pads per month. If one pad costs 5 baht, women have to pay 125 baht per month, including the tax of 9 baht. Accordingly, 19 million women of reproductive age will pay total tax of 171 million baht per month.
"If we can save this, we will have more money for better living standards," he added.
