01 — The short answer
Ongoing HIV protection, one tablet at a time.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription tablet that greatly lowers your chance of getting HIV when you take it before sex, and you can start PrEP in Pattaya after a short consultation and a few checks.
The usual PrEP medication combines tenofovir and emtricitabine, often sold as generic Truvada. Taken as advised, it stops HIV from settling in the body if you are exposed. It does not treat HIV, so a negative HIV test always comes first.
Whether you live in Jomtien, Naklua or Pratumnak, or you are here on holiday, our Pattaya PrEP clinic can take you from first message to your first supply in one visit. It is part of our HIV prevention services, alongside PEP, HIV testing and STI checks.
02 — Two ways to take it
Daily or on-demand: choosing your routine.
Most people take one tablet every day; some men who have sex with men use an on-demand schedule known as 2-1-1.
Daily PrEP suits almost everyone at ongoing risk, whatever the type of sex. Take one tablet at roughly the same time each day. For anal sex, protection builds after about a week of daily doses, and your doctor will tell you how long to allow for vaginal sex, which takes longer.
On-demand PrEP, also called event-driven dosing, means two tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex, one tablet 24 hours after that double dose, and one more 24 hours later. The WHO technical brief on 2+1+1 dosing recommends it as an option for men who have sex with men.
Daily vs on-demand PrEP at a glance
| Daily PrEP | On-demand (2-1-1) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you take it | One tablet every day | 2 before sex, then 1 and 1 |
| Who it suits | Anyone at ongoing risk | Cisgender men who have sex with men |
| Vaginal or front-hole sex | Yes | Not recommended |
| Hepatitis B | Possible with monitoring | Not suitable |
| Best for | Regular or unplanned sex | Sex you can plan at least 2 hours ahead |
On-demand dosing is not advised for vaginal or front-hole sex, because protective levels take longer to build in that tissue. Daily PrEP is the safer choice there.
03 — Is it for you?
Who PrEP works well for.
PrEP is worth a conversation if you sometimes have condomless sex with partners whose HIV status you don’t know.
People who often choose it include:
- Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
- Trans women and non-binary people
- Anyone with a partner living with HIV who is not yet on effective treatment
- Sex workers and their clients
- People who have needed PEP more than once
Thailand was one of the first countries in Asia to make PrEP widely available, and UNAIDS reporting on Thailand highlights its community-led PrEP services. Nobody here will judge your choices.
04 — Your first visit
The checks we do before your first tablet.
A few quick tests make sure PrEP is safe for you and that it is the right medicine.
Starting PrEP while already living with HIV could let the virus become resistant to these drugs, so HIV testing matters most. If you had a possible exposure in the last 72 hours, tell us straight away: you may need PEP first, and you can check the 72-hour PEP window before you message us.
Tests before you start PrEP and why they matter
| Check | Why we do it | How often |
|---|---|---|
| HIV test | PrEP is only for people who are HIV-negative | At the start, then about every 3 months |
| Kidney function | Tenofovir is cleared by the kidneys | At the start, then as your doctor advises |
| Hepatitis B | Affects which schedule is safe and how you stop | At the start; vaccination if needed |
| STI screen | PrEP does not cover syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia | At the start and at follow-up |
Bring a list of any medicines you take and any recent test results.
05 — Costs
What PrEP costs in Thailand.
PrEP in Thailand costs far less than in most Western countries.
Thai nationals with a Thai ID can usually get PrEP free at participating services under the national universal coverage scheme. Visitors and most foreign residents pay privately. The figures below are rounded from public clinic price lists and are approximate, checked September 2026.
Approximate PrEP prices in Thailand
| Option | Approximate cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public services, Thai ID holders | Usually free | Universal coverage; foreigners generally not eligible |
| Generic tablets, private clinic | About 750–1,500 baht a month | Tenofovir with emtricitabine |
| Branded or newer tablets | About 1,250–3,000 baht a month | Only if your doctor advises |
| First visit with tests and a month’s supply | About 3,500–4,500 baht | Varies with the tests you need |
HIV PEP Pattaya confirms the full price of your PrEP visit before you start, so there are no surprises. If you are also comparing emergency treatment, see our guide to PEP cost in Pattaya.
06 — After PEP
Moving from PEP to PrEP without a gap.
If you are finishing a 28-day PEP course and expect further risk, you can usually switch straight to PrEP.
If you started with HIV PEP in Pattaya, switching without a gap avoids a stretch with no protection, and our guide to what HIV PEP is explains the timing.
- Tell us a few days before your last PEP tablet that you’d like PrEP.
- Have an HIV test near the end of your course.
- If the result is negative, start daily PrEP the day after your final PEP dose.
- Keep your follow-up HIV tests on schedule, as with any PEP course.
The follow-up steps in getting PEP in Pattaya still apply, and we combine them with your first PrEP review.
07 — Visitors and residents
Tourists and expats: practical plans for each.
Where you’ll be in three months shapes how we set up your supply and follow-up.
If you are visiting Pattaya
- Contact us early in your trip.
- Take enough tablets for your stay.
- Keep them in the original labelled packaging, with the prescription summary we give you.
- Arrange your 3-month HIV test at home, or ask us how to continue.
If you live in Pattaya or Jomtien
- Book a review about every 3 months for HIV testing and a new supply.
- Have kidney checks as your doctor advises.
- Add an STI screen whenever you have new partners.
Some pharmacies sell tablets without a prescription, but skipping the HIV test is a real risk. Read whether you can buy PEP at a pharmacy for the same reasons.
08 — Layers of protection
PrEP, PEP and condoms: how they fit together.
Each method covers something different, and many people combine them.
PrEP, PEP and condoms: what each one covers
| PrEP | PEP | Condoms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When you use it | Before and around sex | Within 72 hours after | During sex |
| HIV | Greatly reduces risk | Greatly reduces risk | Greatly reduces risk |
| Other STIs | No protection | No protection | Reduces many |
| Pregnancy | No | No | Yes |
If a condom fails and you are not on PrEP, see what to do if a condom breaks and our PEP questions and answers. Ready to begin? Call, LINE or WhatsApp us.
Questions
PrEP in Pattaya: quick answers.
Written by the HIV PEP Pattaya team, based on WHO guidance. Last updated 29 September 2026.
Is PrEP free in Thailand?
It is usually free for Thai nationals under the universal coverage scheme at participating services. Tourists and most foreign residents pay privately.
Can foreigners get PrEP in Thailand?
Yes. Foreign visitors and expats can get PrEP from a doctor after an HIV test and a few safety checks.
Can I buy PrEP at a pharmacy without a prescription?
PrEP is a prescription medicine in Thailand. Taking it without an HIV test first could leave an existing infection untreated and lead to drug resistance.
How long does PrEP take to work?
With the 2-1-1 schedule, the double dose should be taken at least 2 hours before sex. With daily PrEP, protection for anal sex builds over about a week, and longer for vaginal sex, so ask your doctor what applies to you.
Is a PrEP injection available in Pattaya?
Long-acting PrEP given by injection exists, but availability in Thailand is limited. Ask us about current options when you get in touch.
Pattaya, Thailand
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