It’s easy to find and buy condoms in Pattaya. They sell them at 7-Eleven and similar mini marts and stores, and the many pharmacies you find around the city.
For a better choice, try places such as Watsons and Boots in Central Mall, Terminal 21, and Royal Garden Plaza. If you’re embarrassed about buying them in person, they also have a good selection on online stores like Lazada and Shopee. Just check the delivery times in case you’re in a hurry.
You’ll find many common condom brands, such as Durex, in Pattaya, but finding your favorite or your size might not always be as simple as popping into your nearest 7-Eleven store. Have a shop around first, or bring some with you to avoid finding yourself with someone but without a condom.
Reasons To Wear a Condom in Pattaya
What are the chances of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Pattaya? Not surprisingly, you sometimes see questions like that asked on forums and question-and-answer websites, perhaps with the underlying question being: Do I really need to wear a condom in Pattaya?
The answers are mostly to the effect that, yes, you should wear a condom, just as you would expect from someone who knows the local scene.
The thing is, with its bar girls, adult nightlife, and droves of foreign men arriving from every corner of the world in search of companionship and casual sex, Pattaya is a little different from most places.
It would be nice to think that the Thai women, men, and ladyboys you meet in Pattaya’s bars, massage parlors, and other adult entertainment venues all practice safe sex, but it’s not something you should assume.
Given the party atmosphere, casual nature of encounters, and the effect alcohol has on some people, it’s easy to find yourself in a moment where you don’t care whether you came prepared or not.
That might not be you, but it’s reason enough to double down on wearing a condom in Pattaya.
Don’t take comfort in stories you might hear about bar girls having regular STI checks. Whether they do or don’t, there’s no guarantee they haven’t become infected since their last test.
The best advice, whether it’s to avoid the risk of STIs or unwanted pregnancy, is simple: always wear a condom in Pattaya.
If you happen to have a mishap and suspect you’ve caught some kind of STI, many clinics and hospitals in Pattaya offer STI testing and treatment.
If you’re a single man planning a trip and looking for more information beyond avoiding medication, read my Pattaya girls and nightlife first time guide.