THAILAND: Thai authorities raid an illegal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic in Bangkok as it steps up a campaign against illegal surrogacy
Record ID:
644508
THAILAND: Thai authorities raid an illegal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic in Bangkok as it steps up a campaign against illegal surrogacy
- Title: THAILAND: Thai authorities raid an illegal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic in Bangkok as it steps up a campaign against illegal surrogacy
- Date: 14th August 2014
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (AUGUST 14, 2014) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BANGKOK CITY TOWER POLICE WALKING INSIDE CLINIC BOARD WITH PICTURES SHOWING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) PROCESS VARIOUS OF CLINIC'S STAFF SITTING BEHIND COUNTER HANDS HOLDING PAPER POLICE TALKING PHOTO OF CLINIC STAFF POLICE TALKING ON PHONE CLINIC SIGN ON WALL READING (English) "NEW LIFE IVF THAILAND" CLINIC STAFF STANDING INTERIOR OF CLINIC JOURNALISTS STANDING OUTSIDE PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTRY OFFICIAL STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT BOONRUANG TRIRUANGWORAWAT SAYING: "What we found today is that this clinic is not yet approved to operate IVF. They are still on process of getting approval which is not right, according to the clinic regulation section 16." BOONRUANG STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT BOONRUANG TRIRUANGWORAWAT SAYING: "As far as we know, the doctor here is also not yet approved by Thailand's Medical Council."
- Embargoed: 29th August 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Thailand
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
- Reuters ID: LVA1TO7O0S6QZR4WR9VIWNTUUP92
- Story Text: Thai police raided an in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic in the capital Bangkok on Thursday (August 14) as the military government stepped up its campaign against illegal surrogacy.
Police officers and public health ministry officials who searched the New Life Fertility Clinic which opened in July said the clinic did not have the correct license to operate and its doctor has not been registered with Thailand's Medical Council - a required regulation.
"What we found today is that this clinic is not yet approved to operate IVF. They are still on process of getting approval which is not right, according to the clinic regulation section 16," said Boonruang Triruangworawat, director general of Thailand's health department.
"As far as we know, the doctor here is also not yet approved by Thailand's Medical Council," he added.
Officials have said they found more than a hundred files of clients in the clinic but they caution that there was no link to any illegal surrogacy cases found in Thailand.
Police are still conducting an investigation.
The case of an Australian couple accused of abandoning their Down syndrome son with his Thai surrogate mother unleashed an international outcry over the "wombs for hire" business that rights groups say preys on poor and vulnerable women in countries such as India and Thailand.
The military government has approved a surrogacy draft law a spokeswoman told reporters on Wednesday (August 13). Those involved in the practice of commercial surrogacy would face criminal sanction, she added.
The law is awaiting final approval from the National Legislative Assembly and would then have to be formally endorsed by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It is unclear how long final approval will take.
Thailand's army seized power in May after months of street protests. The junta has ordered a nationwide probe into the country's shadowy surrogacy industry.
Also on Thursday, Thailand's Public Health Ministry filed a complaint with Lumpini police after the search of another IVF clinic last week found that the clinic is not allowed to operate a surrogacy services.
Currently, Thailand imposes a lenient punishment for illegally operating a surrogacy service - either a 3 years imprisonment or a 60,000 baht fine (1,882 USD).
Earlier this month, Thai official found nine babies with nine nannies in an apartment in Bangkok.
Police said all nine babies are from the same DNA believed to be from a Japanese businessman.
Thai authorities said on Wednesday (August 13) they were looking for a Japanese businessman who is suspected of having fathered 13 babies using Thai surrogate mothers.
Thailand has no specific law to regulate commercial surrogacy, which is barred by the code of conduct of the Medical Council of Thailand, but non-profit surrogacy is permitted for blood relatives, and individual exceptions may be permitted.
Rights activists say the law could create uncertainty for foreign couples who now have pregnant surrogates in the country.
The Australian government has asked Thai authorities to allow the completion of any current commercial surrogate arrangements before making any changes, but it is not known if Thailand has responded to the request. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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