How to Say “Tampon” in Thai – And Why It’s Surprisingly Logical
This post was co-written by Erin Vincent (founder of Evi Mae) and Narisa Naropakorn (Thai language educator)
Narisa is an expert at teaching Thai to foreigners and offers personalized private lessons online. Learn more at www.thaiskypeteacher.com
Let’s take a look at how to say “tampon” in Thai. First, we’ll learn the word for “pad,” and then we’ll see why the Thai word for “tampon” is more like a description than a separate word.
“Pad” in Thai = Hygiene Cloth
In English, we say “pad” as shorthand for “sanitary pad.”
In Thai, the equivalent word is:
ผ้าอนามัย (pâa aa-na-mai)
Let’s break that down:
• ผ้า (pâa) = cloth
• อนามัย (aa-na-mai) = hygiene
So when Thai speakers say ผ้าอนามัย (pâa aa-na-mai), they’re literally saying “hygiene cloth.”
“Tampon” in Thai = Insertable Hygiene Cloth
There’s no completely separate word for “tampon” in Thai. Instead, Thai builds on the word for “pad” to describe a type of pad that you insert.
The Thai word for tampon is:
ผ้าอนามัยแบบสอด (pâa aa-na-mai bàep sàawt)
Here’s the breakdown:
• ผ้า (pâa) = cloth
• อนามัย (aa-na-mai) = hygiene
• แบบ (bàep) = style or type
• สอด (sàawt) = to insert
So Thai simply adds “insert style” to “hygiene cloth,” creating the phrase “insertable hygiene cloth.”
It’s practical. It’s descriptive. And once you know it, it’s easy to remember!
Vocab Recap
| English Word | Thai Word | Pronunciation | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pad | ผ้าอนามัย | pâa aa-na-mai | Hygiene cloth |
| Tampon | ผ้าอนามัยแบบสอด | pâa aa-na-mai bàep sàawt | Insertable hygiene cloth |
Where Can You Find Tampons in Thailand?
Now that you know how to say “tampon” in Thai, the next question is: Where do you find them?
That’s where we come in.
Evi Mae is Thailand’s first eco-friendly tampon brand—made with 100% organic cotton and biodegradable cardboard applicators. You can find us at select stores across Thailand and online.
