Sounds a weird question from me, but there's a reason.

I'm in Pattaya for 2 more days, and I've been buying some items that are hard to find at my 'home' on Koh Phangan. I will make a trip soon back to Myanmar with useful items for the orphanages. One special item that I want to take are packs of reusable (washable) sanitary pads for teenagers. The reason is that not only are disposable pads beyond the financial reach of the girls' orphanages, the sale of these items has actually been banned by the junta, on the grounds that they can be used as bullet wound dressing...

Therefore, in order to help these girls with an item that probably no-one else would ever think of donating, I raise my question if anyone knows a shop in Pattaya that might stock such items. I need to buy about 100 for several girls' orphanages in Kalaw, Bagan and Mandalay that I support. The girls use old rags that they wash and reuse, but a properly-manufactured reusable graphene pad would be more comfortable and give them some dignity.

Resusable pads are sold with Lazada and Aliexpress etc, but I haven't been able to track down a supplier of smaller-size pads for teens. (If you have a link to these, please share it). Thanks!

Edited July 31Jul 31 by simon43

My wife & daughts always used rags and did not feel in the least undignified!

Menstrual sponges might be more suited to purpose but don't know of a source here.

Thanks. ChatGPT made a good suggestion, which is to subcontract their manufacture to some ladies in my Thai village, earning them some baht... I'll look into this further. Menstrual sponges are culturally not appropriate in Myanmar for teen girls. Rags are acceptable when there is no alternative, but pads manufactured using appropriate materials (graphene and PUP) are more hygenic.

43 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

My wife & daughts always used rags

Why use rags?

What's wrong with sanitary napkins?

I almost freaked out when the gf left a used one on top of the toilet roll holder.

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

My wife & daughts always used rags and did not feel in the least undignified!

Menstrual sponges might be more suited to purpose but don't know of a source here.

Used rags? Tell me you're joking.

Apparently large pharmacies such as Boots and Watsons sell reusable pads.

Sponges are the go, kinda funky to snag em out with ya pinky finger!

Sponges are an absolute no-no for teen girls in Myanmar! It suggests that they are not virgins and the country is very conservative....

10 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Apparently large pharmacies such as Boots and Watsons sell reusable pads.

Thanks, yes they do, but when I visited in person and asked, they said that they only stock sizes for adults

22 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Thanks, yes they do, but when I visited in person and asked, they said that they only stock sizes for adults

Can't you cut them in half?

6 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Can't you cut them in half?

What?!

9 hours ago, simon43 said:

Sounds a weird question from me, but there's a reason.

I'm in Pattaya for 2 more days, and I've been buying some items that are hard to find at my 'home' on Koh Phangan. I will make a trip soon back to Myanmar with useful items for the orphanages. One special item that I want to take are packs of reusable (washable) sanitary pads for teenagers. The reason is that not only are disposable pads beyond the financial reach of the girls' orphanages, the sale of these items has actually been banned by the junta, on the grounds that they can be used as bullet wound dressing...

Therefore, in order to help these girls with an item that probably no-one else would ever think of donating, I raise my question if anyone knows a shop in Pattaya that might stock such items. I need to buy about 100 for several girls' orphanages in Kalaw, Bagan and Mandalay that I support. The girls use old rags that they wash and reuse, but a properly-manufactured reusable graphene pad would be more comfortable and give them some dignity.

Resusable pads are sold with Lazada and Aliexpress etc, but I haven't been able to track down a supplier of smaller-size pads for teens. (If you have a link to these, please share it). Thanks!

Good way to facilitate a urinary tract infection. Tampons are still not restricted. Perhaps education on the use of a tampon is better in the long run.

4 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Used rags? Tell me you're joking.

Nope. Mostly old flannel sheets & nightgowns. We weren't poor. We were just conservative.

29 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Good way to facilitate a urinary tract infection. Tampons are still not restricted. Perhaps education on the use of a tampon is better in the long run.

Menstrual pads do not directly cause Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), but improper pad habits can create an environment that facilitates bacterial growth and increases your risk. UTIs occur when bacteria (typically E. coli from the bowel) enter the urethra and travel to the bladder.

How do you know tampons are accessible in Myanmar??? Menstrual sponges are reusable. I think you could probably make your own from natural sponge.

Yes, reusable menstrual sponges need to be cleaned and sanitized before first use and between cycles, though true medical sterilization is difficult to achieve at home. Natural sea sponges are not sold sterile and may carry residual marine debris like sand or bacteria. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Cleaning and Sanitizing Steps

• Initial check: Inspect new sponges closely and rinse them well in warm water to shake out any trapped particles. [1, 2]

• First-use preparation: Soak the sponge in a water and vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) overnight to balance its pH, or optionally boil it gently for a short time. [1]

• Between uses during a period: Wash the sponge thoroughly with clean water and mild soap every 4 to 8 hours before reinsertion. [1, 2]

• End-of-cycle sanitization: Sanitize the sponge by soaking it in a diluted vinegar or baking soda solution, then let it air-dry completely in an open space. Avoid harsh chemicals or boiling for too long, which can ruin the delicate natural fibers. [1, 2]

If you'd like, I can share tips on how to safely insert and remove a menstrual sponge or discuss the signs of infection to watch out for.

9 hours ago, simon43 said:

The girls use old rags that they wash and reuse,

You could sell them in vending machines in Japan ?

Get about 3000 Baht each for genuine unwashed ones

Thought this would be worthwhile to post.

Keep up the good work Simon, you're a good man 👍

Share the Dignity is an Australian charity that collects period products to help women, girls, and anyone who menstruates who is facing homelessness, domestic violence, or hard times

https://sharethedignity.org.au/get-involved/corporate-partnerships

Topic closed at request of OP due to multiple unacceptable troll posts.