Abortion in Thailand

[vdoboy]

Just left Bumrungrad in Bangkok.

The (UK trained and experienced) Doctor stated that last year abortion was LEGALISED in Thailand.... Following the exact same law / system in UK of requiring two doctor's signatures for the procedure to be performed.

He says that people don't know this because the government haven't released the fact for fear of a backlash from the Thai community..... It is still highly frowned upon and thought of very negatively amongst the vast majority of Thais......

Operation cost 20,000Baht (roughly) and left us feeling incredibly well cared for, cared about and attended to in a way that one expects - with tender understanding.

This situation is now sorted, the missus feels incredible relief and all her concerns have vanished. As opposed to the stories that I hear of people being treated like cattle in the smaller clinics (not to mention the heavy guilt and fear of the procedure that the nurses and doctors in these clinics insist on creating for the patient.....) and risking infection / infertility etc.....

Hope this post helps people in need....

[Sheryl]

Under Thai law, abortion is now legal on demand up to  12 weeks gestation.

 

After that, it is legal if  the pregnancy threatens the woman’s health or results from rape or incest;   “health” includes mental/emotional as well as physical considerations. The determination that a woman qualifies for a legal abortion under these criteria can only be made by a medical doctor licensed in Thailand.

 

In practice it can be difficult to find a doctor willing to provide an abortion.  One can try at private hospitals but may have to try more than one doctor and soem may be judgemental making it a traumatic process.

 

Low cost clinics operated by either the Thai NGO Population and Community Development Association (PDA) or Thai Planned Parenthood are often the best option as they will not turn anyone away  provided the pregnancy is  early enough.

For the location of a PDA clinic, contact their headquarters:

Population and Community Development Association (PDA)
6 Sukhumvit 12, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 662-229-4611-28 Fax : 662-229-4632
E-Mail : [email protected]

 

For Planned Parenthood:

 

http://ppat.or.th/?page_id=3262&lang=en

 

Another valuable resource is this site which will refer to qualified physician willing to perform the procedure

https://rsathai.org/

(English translation below)

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=th&u=https://rsathai.org/&prev=search

 

Important notes:

(1) Do NOT seek abortion at other than a licensed clinic or hospital, as serious complications can occur when it is performed by an untrained person.

(2) Abortion is an emotionally and hormonally upsetting procedure. Clinics and hospitals which are not usually frequented by foreigners may have limited ability to provide appropriate counseling to farangs due to language and cultural differences. Hence women who do not speak fluent Thai would be well advised to bring along a close friend who is a fluent Thai speaker.

(3) If aware of the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy within 2 weeks of the possible conception, over-the-counter "morning after" pills (brand names in Thailand include Madonna and Postinor) should be used. While these should be used within 72 hours of possible conception, recent research has shown that they are still worth taking for up to 2 weeks (effectiveness drops but may still prevent at least 50% of pregnancies; in the first 72 hours prevents the vast majority). These work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus so from a medical standpoint prevent a pregnancy from taking place at all. Menstruation will occur as usual and it will not be possible to tell if fertilization (conception) had taken place or not.

Edited May 11, 2021 by Sheryl
uodated information after change t law

[Sheryl]

Updated Feb 9 2019

[Sheryl]

in Thai only - this network provides referrals to safe abortion services , counseling and general information

https://www.rsathai.org/

 

 

[Lorry]

This is in addition to the addresses given in the pinned thread:

 

Those addresses work regular office hours, e.g.  not on weekends.

There may be other complicating factors (e.g. unknown duration of the pregnancy).

In these cases,  the place to go - its a real hospital and they won't turn people away - is Khlongtan Hospital, near Khlongtan  intersection.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Lorry

[Sheryl]

Merged with the pinned thread on abortion.

 

Other private hospitals would also work but nto all docs in them will do abortions.

 

 

[Sheryl]

Unhelpful posts and bickering have been removed. Thread locked.