Surrogacy Laws Guide: Existing Regulations and Evolving Laws in Thailand

After the two stories of baby Gammy and a surrogacy baby factory made news headlines worldwide, reports show that Thailand is reviewing a draft surrogacy law which, if passed, would make commercial surrogacy in Thailand illegal. In the meantime, Thai authorities are continuing to investigate medical clinics and doctors who have violated current surrogacy regulations.

For a thorough explanation of the current regulations that apply to surrogacy and related procedures in Thailand, read the new surrogacy legal analysis from the Thailand Attorney Blog.

Read the Thailand Surrogacy Laws Guide here.

Thai Surrogacy Scandals Push Legislative Reform

After the stories of baby Gammy and a surrogacy baby factory surfaced, the need for commercial surrogacy laws in Thailand became even more apparent.

Several Thai government offices are taking action to advance laws against commercial surrogacy and stipulating regulations of other issues such as establishing parenthood and child custody.   

As aresult of the recent issues arising out of surrogacy in Thailand, the Thai Government is currently considering approving a proposed Draft Surrogacy law for Thailand .

Read the full story here.

Thai Clinic Under Fire for Gammy’s Surrogacy Case

Gammy was reportedly abandoned by his Australian birth parents, but Thai authorities are going to the source of the surrogacy, investigating the Bangkok clinic allegedly responsible for the surrogacy services, reports the Bangkok Post.

Currently there are no concrete laws or established precedent to guide cases involving Thai surrogacy. A Thai Ministry of Public Health official, quoted by the Bangkok Post, said that commercial surrogacy (in which a woman is paid to carry a child) is against the Medical Council of Thailand's code of conduct.

Gammy is the baby born with Down syndrome whose Australian birth parents reportedly abandoned him and returned to Australia with his healthy twin sister, according to the Bangkok Post. Gammy remained in the care of his surrogate mother, 21-year-old Pattaramon Chanbua.

Read the full story here.