Thailand pushes to regulate commercial surrogacy as Australian, Japanese cases raise concerns

BANGKOK – Thailand is pushing to regulate its commercial surrogacy industry as a case involving Australian parents and another involving a Japanese businessman have raised concerns.

Social Development and Human Security Ministry official Rarinthip Sirorat says the draft of a surrogacy law has been submitted to the junta's head of legal and justice affairs.

She said Thursday it will be forwarded to the newly-established interim legislature for consideration next week.

Existing rules in Thailand cover doctors and medical institutes, but not surrogacy agencies or surrogate mothers, leaving room for commercial surrogacy to take place.

A Thai surrogate recently alleged that an Australian couple abandoned a son with Down syndrome.

Thai authorities are investigating a case surrounding nine babies found at a Bangkok condominium, who are allegedly fathered by the same Japanese businessman.