Thailand passes law to ban commercial surrogacy for foreigners

Thailand’s parliament under ruling military junta has passed a legislation banning commercial surrogacy.
Provisions of new law

• Completely bans foreign couples seeking to have children through Thai surrogate mothers.
• Only married Thai couples or couples with one Thai partner who have been married at least three years can seek surrogacy.
• Forbids any middlemen or agencies, receiving any assets or benefits through the surrogacy process.
• Anyone who violates this law i.e. caught hiring a surrogate mother faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years. Agents will also face imprisonment if caught.
• Ban on advertising and promotions, shuts down surrogate agents and unregistered clinics.

Background
Earlier in November 2014, Thailand’s Parliament had voted a draft bill to ban commercial surrogacy. This draft bill banning commercial surrogacy was formulated to regulate the illegal commercial surrogacy after outrage erupted over this unregulated industry.
This industry came under intense scrutiny after a series of surrogacy scandals broke in the country involving foreigners.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2015