A ban on leasing wombs for parental surrogacy in all but limited circumstances will go to authorities for consideration.
In response to this week’s scandal over Thailand’s surrogate mother brokerages, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will send the proposal to the junta to consider. Under that proposal, surrogacy is only possible at the recommendation of a physician and must be arranged “among relatives or trusted people,” according to the ministry’s Vichien Chavalit.
Meanwhile, Thai PBS reports the mother of two babies born for an Australian couple could face charges.
Public health officials said it will go after hospitals and agencies involved in the illegal trade, including Pattaramon Chanbua of Sri Racha, whose payment for birthing two babies reportedly violated human trafficking laws. Pattaramon, who was left with one of the babies after its Australian parents abandoned it due to ill health, said she was unaware the popular practice was illegal.
Thailand’s become a popular destination for paid surrogates, with more than 20 agencies serving an international clientele.
Photo: Nicolos Asfouri / AFP
