Thailand – A call for compliance

Despite a legal amendment allowing safe abortion, many women are still denied service due to staff confusion and social stigma

17 Nov 2025
Thana Boonlert

In February, the Social Security Office issued guidelines to partner hospitals, stressing that subscribers are eligible for abortion and post-abortion care, classified as sickness benefit.

At six weeks pregnant, A*, 27, was confirmed entitlement to financial support. However, staff at her registered medical facility denied having such a policy. A few weeks later, she sought abortion pills from a clinic at her own expense.

Continued: https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/3138800/a-call-for-compliance

How the grisly discovery of a ‘foetus mortuary’ re-shaped Thailand’s abortion laws

Years after the country’s abortion legislation shifted, entrenched attitudes still obstruct access in the Buddhist country

Sarah Newey, and Pear Maneechote
15 March 2024

The stench revealed the grisly secret. Wafting through the temple in southern Bangkok, the terrible smell led to the mortuary – and the grim discovery of more than 2,000 foetuses, wrapped in plastic bags and at various stages of decomposition.

The hidden remains were awaiting cremation, the final stage in an underground abortion network in Thailand’s capital. But a broken furnace disrupted the process for months, possibly longer, until the smell grew so potent it was impossible to hide.

Continued: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/women-and-girls/abortion-laws-buddhist-monks-foetus-mortuary-thailand-asia/

Making abortion safer in Thailand

KALYAPAT RACHITROJ
6 OCT 2023

Safe abortion is a basic healthcare service and an important enabling factor for Thailand to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under Target 3.1 of Goal 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), a two-thirds reduction in maternal mortality -- in which unsafe abortion is a leading cause -- is called for by 2030. And this is directly under the mandate of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to deliver.

While Thailand has legalised abortions up to the 20th week of pregnancy in 2021, women still face an information deficit, social stigma, and lack of access to safe abortion services. In recognition of the International Safe Abortion Day last week, I would like to speak out as a woman and a member of parliament.

Continued: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2658555/making-abortion-safer-in-thailand

06.10.2023

Opinion

International Safe Abortion Day

Kalyapat Rachitroj

maternal mortality

Move Forward Party

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Sustainable Development Goal 3

Sustainable Development Goals

Improved levels of care for teen mothers in Thailand

Teen mothers in Thailand are now receiving postpartum treatments and less stigmatisation.

By Danielle Summer
08/14/23

For years, thousands of teens have been forced to feel shame or guilt after conceiving an unplanned pregnancy under the age of 18. But in 2023, pregnant teens and adolescent mothers are getting valuable support in Thailand.

Although in 2020, abortion was decriminalised in Thailand, many women and girls continue to be denied the service by medical professionals. Due to objections from medical staff and a lack of affordable and convenient access to abortions, many women are forced to take matters into their own hands.

Continued: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/improved-levels-care-teen-mothers-thailand-1718508

14.08.2023

News

Aids and Unwanted Pregnancies Access Foundation

belief-based care denial

care denials

Khon Wai Sai

Nanthakan Sungsuman Woodham

Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand

Abortion access in Thailand hampered by stigma and limited resources

Sunday, 27 Nov 2022

BANGKOK (The Straits Times/ANN): After finding out in 2020 that she was five weeks pregnant, Kiri (not her real name), then 24, knew she wanted to get an abortion. “It was quite a clear option for me,” said Kiri, who had just started a new job and was not ready to be a mother or get married.

But the process took a lot longer. Not knowing any local abortion avenues, it took her three weeks of research, calls and refusals before she finally secured an appointment to terminate the pregnancy in another province, a two-hour drive from her home in Bangkok.

Continued: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/11/27/abortion-access-in-thailand-hampered-by-stigma-and-limited-
resources

Will the world abort women’s rights after death of Roe v. Wade?

BY ELLEN WULFHORST, THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION
Nov 24, 2022

PATTAYA CITY, THAILAND – Women and girls around the world will suffer a knock-on effect from the U.S. decision to roll back abortion rights, experts say, predicting a global clampdown on hard-won female freedoms.

From access to abortion to voting rights, equal pay to equal status, women from Africa to Asia to Europe are expected to feel the fallout of the U.S. decision to reverse Roe v. Wade.

Continued: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/11/24/world/women-rights-abortion/

BY ELLEN WULFHORST, THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION
Nov 24, 2022

From access to abortion to voting rights, equal pay to equal status, women from Africa to Asia to Europe are expected to feel the fallout of the U.S. decision to reverse Roe v. Wade.

Continued: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/11/24/world/women-rights-abortion/

Women’s Groups Fight for Better Access to Abortion in Thailand

November 9, 2022
By CTN News

Although Thai law was revised last year to allow abortions up to 12 weeks and again this year under some conditions up to 20 weeks, it remains difficult for Thai women to obtain a free and safe abortion.

“If you believe that abortions have become available for all pregnant women who wish to exercise their legal right to an abortion, you are mistaken,” Tamtang Group founder and coordinator Supecha Baotip remarked.

Continued: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/news/abortion-in-thailand/

Abortion is now legal, but why is it so difficult to get one in Thailand?

November 8, 2022

Although Thai law was changed last year to allow the termination of a pregnancy up to 12 weeks and again this year with some conditions to up to 20 weeks, it remains difficult for women in Thailand to get a free and safe abortion.

“If you think abortion services have become available for all pregnant women who want to exercise their right to a legal abortion, you are wrong,” Tamtang Group’s founder and coordinator Supecha Baotip said.

Continued: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/abortion-is-now-legal-but-why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-one-in-thailand/

Thailand’s New Abortion Access Law Is Part of a Bigger Trend

BY SANYA MANSOOR
OCTOBER 27, 2022

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry legalized abortions up to the 20th week of pregnancy on Thursday—an extension of a previous law which allowed termination of pregnancy within the first 12 weeks.

That 12-week allowance came as a result of a law expanding abortion rights enacted last year. These laws are a massive step for a country that criminalized abortion as recently as February 2020, when The
Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled that anti-abortion laws are unconstitutional.

Continued: https://time.com/6225758/thailand-abortion-access/

Thailand – Safe abortion is a must

EDITORIAL, BANGKOK POST
4 OCT 2022

The recent move to permit abortions for women who are 12–20 weeks pregnant puts the pendulum swinging in the right direction for rights groups in Thailand. Yet, the policy is far from providing sufficient safe and legal abortion services to those who need them.

The amendment to Section 305(5) of the Criminal Code that regulated the elective termination of pregnancy will come into effect at the end of this month after changes were codified and gazetted on Sept 26. The country now allows women 12–20 weeks pregnant to seek medical consultation at state hospitals before being allowed to receive legal abortion services.

Continued: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2406480/safe-abortion-is-a-must

04.10.2022