Last August, the whole world learned that an Australian couple who had commissioned a Thai surrogate mother, abandoned the Down syndrome baby, Gammy, taking only his “healthy” twin sister. A few weeks later, the media revealed the case of a rich Japanese man believed to be the father of 12 babies born to Thai surrogate mothers (See Gènéthique 04/08/2014, 27/08/2014, 03/09/2014 press reviews).
In Thailand, surrogacy has developed through a huge legal loophole. The various scandals that have come to light have led Thailand to take appropriate measures.
Consequently, on 13 August 2014, the competent authorities adopted a draft law sanctioning a 10-year prison sentence for any person benefiting from surrogacy. (See Gènéthique 18-08-2014 press review). On Thursday, 27 November 2014, this draft bill was adopted “almost unanimously” by the Thai Parliament on its first reading. MP Wallop Tungkananural announced: “We wanted to put an end to how foreigners see Thailand – as a baby factory“.
According to Sam Everingham, Australian founder of Families Through Surrogacy, the practice of surrogacy is believed to generate almost 200 births each year for Australian couples alone. And according to the Thai Medical Council “there are estimated to be about one hundred private clinics specialising in assisted procreation”, pointed out the France 24 website.
Although Thailand has decided to take measures, the country does not seem prepared at the present time to ban surrogacy altogether. It is still authorised within families or for friends.
La-croix.com 28/11/2014 – The Japan News 29/11/2014 – France24.com 285/11/2014 – Dailymail.co.uk 28/11/2014