Thailand is revising surrogacy laws to allow foreigners to hire Thai women to act as surrogate mothers without requiring one partner to be Thai. Under the proposed changes, foreigners will also be allowed to bring the eggs and sperm out of Thailand for surrogacy overseas. Thailand has previously banned foreigners from availing of commercial surrogacy because of the Baby Gammy scandal where a couple refused to collect their baby because it has Down Syndrome.
Revisions to the law are aimed at promoting Thailand as a ‘medical hub’, gaining more income for the country. T
Under the present rules and conditions, surrogacy in Thailand is allowed only for Thai couples or foreigners who have a Thai partner. Those in Thailand also cannot send their frozen eggs or sperm overseas. Thailand is losing opportunities over these two restrictions, according to the Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support, Thares Krassanai-Rawiwong.
There have also been a number of cases in Thailand related to illegal surrogacy. Back in May 2020, a Thai doctor faced charges for human trafficking and involvement in an illegal ring using Thai women to carry babies for people in China.
