To strengthen “medical tourism”, Thailand plans to legalize surrogacy for foreign couples

The amendment will be submitted this month for approval by the council of ministers. MAXPPP – Remi WAFFLART

Thailand has decided to relax its legislation on surrogacy (GPA) to allow foreign couples to use a surrogate mother in the country, a senior health official said this Friday March 1, 2024.
 

Thailand had strictly regulated the practice of surrogacy in 2015, in particular to prohibit it for foreign couples, following a series of highly publicized scandals on the # 39;flourishing – and opaque – industry of "wombs for rent".

What are the conditions ?

"We will amend the law to allow foreign couples to benefit from the services of a surrogate mother based on regulations", Arkhom Praditsuwan, deputy director general of the health services support department, told Reuters.

"Eligible persons must be legally married, regardless of gender, and the child resulting from surrogacy must benefit from legal support. protection and rights in the couple's country of origin", said Arkhom Praditsuwan.

Foreign couples will be able to bring in a surrogate mother or use a Thai surrogate mother, after receiving authorization from a government committee, he said. added.

Since 2015, GPA was reserved for Thais

The amendment will be submitted this month for approval by the Council of Ministers. It is part of a broader reform on surrogacy, in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination, to allow Thais, including same-sex couples, to ;#39;obtain easier access to these services and to strengthen "medical tourism", according to Arkhom Praditsuwan.

If the cabinet approves the proposed amendment, the text will then be considered by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Since 2015, Thailand has only allowed surrogacy for Thai couples or Thais married to a foreigner for more than three years and who face difficulties having children.