Adaptations are made in accordance with the Equal Marriage Act
PUBLISHED: 15 Jan 2025 at 04: 55
In response to the implementation of the identical marriage legislation and the invitation of foreign couples to have substitute babies in Thailand, the Public Health Ministry is updating the surrogacy law.
The Department of Health Service Support ( DHSS), Dr. Panuwat Panket, the director-general of the Department of Health, gave an update on the status of the DHSS’s proposed amendments to the Protection for Children Born Through Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act on Tuesday.
These modifications are intended to comply with the surrogacy and similar wedding laws. Before it is sent to the government for thought, the revised review has been sent to the Minister of Public Health for review.
Important changes include replacing the term “husband” and “wife” with” families” as defined by the Marriage Equality Act and allowing same-sex people to access infertility.
However, issues about responsibilities in child custody and care, particularly in cases of parting, may require detailed account, Dr Panuwat said.
Unusual couples will also be able to seek surrogacy, including bringing international surrogates to Thailand, when the revisions are in place, he said. Just immigrants who marry Thais are permitted to use infertility under the current legislation.
Under a special committee’s recommendation to protect children born using medically assisted reproductive technologies under the Surrogacy Act, the modified law will also allow the export of sperm, eggs, and embryos back to the country of the married couple’s birth country.
When asked about concerns about illegitimate infertility and human trafficking, Dr. Panuwat said the amended bill would improve transparency in surrogacy. This may ensure greater responsibilities, as well as reducing underwater activities, he noted.
Dr. Panuwat emphasized that single relatives of the planned parents will be able to become surrogates in the updated version.
Professional surrogacy is still prohibited, as is advertising for spokespeople in a business setting.
For crimes involving human smuggling or improper infertility businesses, stiffer penalties will be introduced.
He claimed that because of this, the amended costs recommends longer prison sentences and fines, while offending inside Thailand may be treated as if they took place within the country.
Dr. Panuwat noted that more and more single people are interested in infertility, particularly those who want genetic children without having children.