Thailand bans surrogacy for foreigners

20 Feb, Bangkok

Thailand has passed a law banning foreigners from paying Thai women to be surrogates, after two high-profile cases sparked debate last year.

The legislation also bans the use of agents, or any promotion of women willing to carry babies for others.

Last year, the case of a little boy born with Down’s syndrome put Thailand’s surrogacy industry in the spotlight.

Lawmakers said, the law which was first read in Parliament in November, aimed to prevent Thailand from being the womb of the world. It sets out a maximum jail sentence of 10 years for anyone hiring a commercial surrogate.