Thailand considers resuming surrogacy services for foreigners

Thai authorities are amending laws to allow foreigners to use surrogacy services in the country, after nearly 10 years of ban.

"We will amend the law to allow foreign couples to use surrogacy services in Thailand according to regulations," Arkhom Praditsuwan, deputy director general of the Thai Health Service Support Department, said on March 1.

According to Mr. Arkhom, foreigners who want to use this service must have a legal marriage certificate, regardless of gender. Children born from surrogacy services must be guaranteed rights and protection from the country of those using the service.

Surrogates can accompany foreign couples to Thailand. Couples can also use the services of locals. Surrogates must be inspected and licensed by the authorities.

A foreign gay couple holds a baby born to a Thai mother, 2016. Photo: Reuters — A foreign gay couple holds a baby born to a Thai mother, 2016. Photo: *Reuters*

The Health Service Support Agency will submit the revised bill to the cabinet by the end of the month. If approved, the bill will be submitted to parliament for approval.

This is part of a reform of regulations on surrogacy, in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination to allow Thais, including transgender couples, to access these services more easily. Mr Arkhom added that the revised law also aims to promote medical tourism .

Thailand tightened its control over surrogacy in 2015, banning foreigners from using the service after a number of scandals. Surrogacy is only available to infertile Thai couples, or Thais married to foreigners for three years or more.

Duc Trung (According to Reuters )

Source link