Both countries shared a similar opinion that the issue must be solved through humanitarian means and the optimum benefit that the child born from surrogacy would receive.
Peter Vorghese, Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with Chanchao Chaiyanukit, Thailand’s deputy permanent secretary for Justice, and exchanged ideas on surrogacy in Thailand.
Both sides agreed that the problem must be solved through humanitarian and the maximum benefit the babies born from surrogacy should receive.
Mr Chanchao told journalists after the meeting that he told Mr Vorghese that before the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued a law on surrogacy, babies born from surrogacy must have their rights protected under the international standards.
He said details on surrogacy and related happenings now in Thailand were not discussed during the meeting but he had told the Australian officer that Thailand would adhere to standards and treat surrogate children as in other countries.
So far there is no clear policy on dealing with the problem in Thailand and opinions expressed by countries will be compiled and presented to NCPO for its consideration before the law is enacted.
Mr Vorghese later told journalists that the Australian government prohibits commercial surrogacy and Thailand has to solve the problem through legal means by itself.
He said about 200 Australian families have already undertaken surrogacy in Thailand.
