- Emergency contraception
- Over the counter
- Emergency number
- 191
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: travelladies.app, knowyourtrips.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Emergency contraception is sold over-the-counter at nearly every Bangkok pharmacy with no prescription and minimal stigma — you can just ask for 'ya kun tong'.
- If you take a specific pill brand at home, bring a backup supply: Thai equivalents may use different formulations that can cause side effects when switching.
- For an assault, going to a government hospital (rather than a private clinic) is strongly advised — they have One Stop Crisis Centres equipped with forensic exam kits and specialist staff, and you don't need a police report first to be treated.
- Tourist Police (1155) has English-speaking staff and is often a better first call for foreign visitors than the general 191 line.
- Most dedicated NGO hotlines for abuse/assault in Thailand operate in Thai and limited hours; SHero and the foreign embassies are the most reliable English-language options for nomads.
- The contraceptive ring (NuvaRing) has historically not been available in Thailand, so if you rely on it, bring your own supply.
- Abortion up to 12 weeks is legal on request with no reason needed; between 12–20 weeks it's legal but requires a counseling session first — this is a real medical appointment, not a formality to skip.
- Only officially registered facilities can legally perform abortions — the safest route for a foreigner is to go through an accredited hospital's OB/GYN department (e.g., Bumrungrad, Samitivej, BNH) rather than seeking pills or providers online, which carries scam and safety risks.
- Despite legal reform, cultural stigma around abortion remains significant in Thailand, and public awareness that the law changed in 2021 is still low — don't assume every clinic or doctor will be comfortable discussing it openly.
- The national hotline 1663 and the RSA (Referral System for Safe Abortion) network exist specifically to connect people with legitimate, legal providers if a local clinic can't help directly.
- International-standard hospitals like Bumrungrad, Samitivej, and BNH cater heavily to foreign patients with English-speaking OB/GYN staff, making them a practical first stop for both routine gynecological care and abortion-related counseling.
Street, Night and Taxi Safety
Street Harassment
Multiple solo-traveler safety trackers rate Bangkok's risk of sexual harassment as low, and women living in or visiting the city commonly report that catcalling and unwanted street attention are rare compared with many other capitals. This is self-reported traveler data rather than an official statistic, so treat it as a general impression rather than a guarantee.
Walking Alone at Night — Where It's Fine
Areas like Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn, and Siam are described as busy, well-lit, BTS-accessible districts where women report feeling comfortable walking alone even after dark because streets stay active with people late into the night. Quiet side streets and sois off the main roads are the exception, since they empty out even in otherwise busy neighborhoods.
Areas to Be More Cautious at Night
Red-light and heavy nightlife strips such as Patpong, Soi Cowboy, and Nana are flagged as places where solo women can draw unwanted attention from touts and drunk crowds after dark, and guides suggest avoiding them at night or sticking to the main BTS-served streets nearby instead. Khao San Road is described as fun but chaotic after midnight, with reports of drink spiking at some venues.
Taxis and Ride-hailing
Grab is the ride-hailing app most commonly recommended over street-hailed taxis or tuk-tuks because it locks in the driver's name, photo and license plate, tracks the route on a map, and lets a rider share the live trip with someone else. Street taxis in Bangkok sometimes claim the meter is broken to push an inflated flat fare, which is one reason many residents and visitors default to Grab instead of hailing on the street. Bolt, a competing app, also operates in Bangkok and offers a women-only ride option that lets female passengers request a female driver.
Practical Precautions
Common advice for women in Bangkok includes sitting in the back seat of a taxi rather than the front, keeping belongings zipped and worn in front in crowded areas to guard against pickpocketing, and not leaving drinks unattended at bars or clubs. Travel-safety trackers also generally advise against lingering alone in isolated or poorly lit spots late at night, even though the city as a whole scores well for safety in these reports.
OB-GYN Options Bangkok
Bumrungrad International Hospital
- Area
- Watthana / Sukhumvit Soi 3, central Bangkok
- Specialties
- Over 60 OB/GYNs on staff, including fetal assessment, prenatal genetics, high-risk pregnancy, menopause, gynecological and breast cancer specialists, plus an on-site fertility clinic.
- Notes
- Long-established (since 1980) international hospital popular with medical tourists and expats; its Women's Center has a large OB/GYN team.
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
- Area
- Sukhumvit, central Bangkok
- Specialties
- Full OB/GYN and maternity care center covering birth-plan consultation, C-section vs natural delivery guidance, infertility treatment, and urogynecology, with specialized birthing facilities including water baths.
- Notes
- Founded 1979; JCI-accredited and recognized as a WHO/UNICEF Mother-and-Baby Friendly Hospital.
BNH Hospital
- Area
- Silom/Sathorn area, central Bangkok
- Specialties
- Women's Health Center with over 30 OB/GYN specialists; Gynecology Centre emphasizes prevention (HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, hereditary cancer genetic testing); staff speak English, Thai, and Mandarin.
- Notes
- One of Bangkok's oldest private hospitals, founded 1898, positioned as Thailand's first international private hospital.
Sukumvit Hospital
- Area
- Phra Khanong, Sukhumvit Road (near BTS Phra Khanong)
- Specialties
- Obstetric Gynecology Center offering care from pre-pregnancy through post-delivery.
- Notes
- Private hospital operating since 1977, one of the first along Sukhumvit Road.
Cost Context Public System
- Nhso Subsidy Amount
- THB 3,000
- Note
- Cost figures below reflect the Thai public/subsidized system context, not a private international-hospital quote.
Typical Medical Abortion Fee Local Clinics
- Currency Local
- THB
- Amount USD Range
- 120–150
- Amount Local Range
- 4000–5000
Emergency Numbers
Royal Thai Police (National Emergency)
- Number
- 191
- Notes
- For any emergency, including sexual assault in progress.
Tourist Police
- Number
- 1155
- Notes
- English-speaking officers; recommended first call for foreign visitors.
Medical Emergency / Ambulance
- Number
- 1669
- Notes
- Call must be made from within the same province as the survivor.
Tourist Assistance Centre
- Number
- 1672
Social Assistance Centre (Ministry of Social Development and Human Security)
- Number
- 1300
- Notes
- 24/7 government line originally for domestic violence, now covers broad social issues; can be crowded with unrelated calls.
Hotlines Support Services
One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) Network
- Type
- Medical/forensic/psychosocial
- Contact
- Located inside major government hospitals
- Notes
- Government hospitals (e.g. Police General Hospital, Bangkok) run OSCCs staffed by social workers, medical, forensic and psychiatric specialists for rape/sexual assault victims.
Rape Crisis Center (Bangkok)
- Type
- Sexual abuse crisis line
- Contact
- 02-615-5995
Women's Crisis Center (Bangkok)
- Type
- Domestic violence support
- Contact
- 02-861-0882
Foundation for Women
- Type
- NGO — hotline, shelter, case referral, emergency financial aid, legal support
- Contact
- +66 2 433 5149, info@womenthai.org
Pavena Foundation for Children and Women
- Type
- Legal counselling, emotional support, trafficking/abuse cases
- Contact
- 24/7 hotline 1134, 02-577-0496 (office hours), pavena1134@hotmail.com
Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation (WMP)
- Type
- Pro-bono legal services for sexual abuse cases; also phone counselling
- Contact
- 02-513-2889
- Notes
- Lawyers available Mon/Wed/Fri; social workers and survivor-counsellors Tue/Thu.
SHero Thailand
- Type
- Pro-bono legal assistance, English-speaking lawyers experienced with foreign clients
- Contact
- Line ID @SHEROTHAILAND
- Notes
- Volunteer-run, not a 24/7 emergency service.
Samaritans Thailand
- Type
- Emotional support / crisis line
- Contact
- 02-113-6789, 12:00–22:00 daily (press 2 for English callback)
Department of Mental Health National Hotline
- Type
- Mental health crisis line (Thai language)
- Contact
- 1323 (free, 24/7)
US Embassy Bangkok (for US Citizens)
- Type
- Consular assistance, can accompany victims to police/hospital
- Contact
- +66-2-205-4000 (24 hours)
British Embassy Bangkok (for UK Citizens)
- Type
- Consular assistance
- Contact
- +66 (0)2 305 8333
- Notes
- Embassy staff can advise on local police/medical procedures and accompany survivors if needed.
Contraception Access
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Public System Caveat
- Thailand's National Health Security Office (NHSO) offers free oral contraceptive pills, EC pills and counselling at partnered pharmacies/clinics — but this is only for Thai nationals with a Thai ID, not for foreign nomads, who pay the standard low pharmacy prices above.
IUD
- Availability
- Available at major hospitals and family planning clinics; insertion requires an appointment with a healthcare professional. Effective 3–5+ years depending on brand (hormonal or copper).
- Notes
- Cost varies significantly by hospital and is not standardized; not routinely quoted publicly, budget for a private hospital consultation plus device and insertion fee.
Implant
- Availability
- Available at hospitals; brands seen in Thailand include Implanon, Jadelle, and Norplant-type rods.
- Notes
- Requires clinical insertion; effective for up to 3 years.
Contraceptive Patch
- Price Low
- THB 580
- Price High
- THB 600
- Availability
- Available at hospitals and pharmacies; common brand is Evra.
- Notes
- Price is per 3-piece box.
Emergency Contraception
- Price Low
- THB 45
- Price High
- THB 75
- Availability
- Sold over-the-counter without a prescription at pharmacies (brands include Madonna, Postinor for dedicated levonorgestrel EC); little social stigma attached to purchase in Bangkok.
- Notes
- Effective up to 72 hours (some formulations up to 120 hours) after unprotected sex; take as soon as possible for best effectiveness.
Oral Contraceptive Pill
- Price Low
- THB 40
- Price High
- THB 350
- Availability
- Sold over-the-counter without a prescription at most pharmacies (Boots, Watsons, and local chains) in Bangkok; many international and Thai-specific brands available.
- Notes
- Price depends on brand; Thai-formulated equivalents of a specific foreign pill may differ in active ingredients.
Country
Thailand
Law Summary
Abortion in Thailand is legal and available on-request up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Legal Status
fully legal and regulated (within specified pregnancy windows)
Legal History
Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled in February 2020 that the old blanket criminalization of abortion (Section 301 of the Criminal Code) was unconstitutional, ordering Parliament to reform the law within 360 days, which led to the 2021 decriminalization of first-trimester abortion and a 2022 Ministry of Public Health rule formalizing the 12–20 week counseling pathway.
Abortion Time Limits
- 12 To 20 Weeks
- Termination is permitted but requires prior counseling with a doctor and a multidisciplinary team to confirm the decision is informed and voluntary.
- Up To 12 Weeks
- Abortion on request, no reason required. This has been the case since the law was amended in February 2021.
- Beyond 20 Weeks Up To 24 Weeks
- Only permitted on specific grounds: risk to the pregnant person's physical or mental health, severe fetal abnormality, the pregnant person is under 15 years old, or the pregnancy results from sexual assault (no police report required).
- Note On Self Administration
- Women who self-medicate to end a pregnancy outside an approved medical setting remain liable for punishment under the law; the drugs must be prescribed by doctors at approved hospitals or clinics.
Official Access Routes
- Subsidy
- Thailand's National Health Security Office (NHSO) offers a modest abortion cost subsidy (3,000 baht) at participating public facilities, though public awareness of this benefit is low.
- Provider Refusal
- Individual doctors may decline to perform an abortion for personal/moral reasons but are required to refer the patient to another provider rather than simply turning them away.
- Referral Hotline
- Thailand runs a national referral hotline (1663) and an RSA (Referral System for Safe Abortion) volunteer doctor network that can direct pregnant people to a registered, legal provider.
- Registered Provider Scarcity
- Over 90% of Thai healthcare facilities do not offer abortion services, so finding one of the officially registered providers (rather than just any hospital) is essential.
- Approved Facility Requirement
- Medical abortions (mifepristone + misoprostol) must be prescribed and administered through hospitals/clinics registered with the Ministry of Public Health's referral network; procuring abortion pills online or through unregistered sources is unsafe and not a legal channel.
Process Notes
Process Notes
- Government hospitals are recommended over private clinics for assault cases, as they are better equipped with rape kits, forensic exams and OSCC teams; private hospitals are not guaranteed to offer these services.
- A police referral is generally not required to receive medical treatment or a forensic exam — some hospitals, including Police General Hospital in Bangkok, accept survivors directly.
- Reporting to police is optional and does not need to happen before or after seeking medical care; however, if you don't report, the case will likely not be investigated.
- Emergency contraception and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are generally offered at hospitals following an assault, though survivors may need to request them if not automatically provided.
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this women's health & safety research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Bangkok
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.