Thailand Bans Commercial Surrogacy
By The Guardian | Feb. 20, 2015
The Baby Gammy case made headlines in August 2014, when a Thai gestational mother claimed that Australian intended parents abandoned Gammy because of a diagnosis of Downs Syndrome.
This article provides an overview of the case and key elements of the law that came into effect soon after.
According to Thailand’s new law:
- Foreign and same-sex couples are banned from seeking surrogacy services in the country.
- Only married heterosexuals, with at least one Thai partner are allowed surrogacy.
- No fees are allowed for the service.
- Gestational mothers must be Thai, over 25 years old, and related to the intended parents.
For more background on the Baby Gammy case and international commercial surrogacy in Thailand, read:
- The BBC – Thailand Bans Commercial Surrogacy for Foreigners (Feb. 20, 2015)
- The BBC – Thailand’s Crackdown on ‘Wombs for Rent’ (Feb. 20, 2015)
- The BBC – Baby Gammy Granted Australian Citizenship (Jan. 20, 2015)
- NPR – Surrogacy Storm In Thailand: A Rejected Baby, A Busy Babymaker (Oct. 22, 2014)
- The Guardian – Australians Hit by Thai Surrogacy Ban Are ‘Pawns in a Disastrous Game’ (Aug. 15, 2014)
- The BBC – Thailand Stops Couples Leaving with Surrogate Babies (Aug. 15, 2014)