More Illegal Abortion Clinics Raided In Bangkok

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More illegal abortion clinics raided

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

The Public Health Ministry and the Centre for Children, Juveniles and Women Police yesterday raided several illegal clinics and arrested operators in the Khu Bon and Ramkhamhaeng areas.

Noknoi Pakdeelon, a 26-year-old former nursing assistant, was arrested by the Centre for Children, Juveniles and Women Police for illegally selling abortion pills and helping end early pregnancies out of her flat in Khu Bon Soi 31. Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit was also present.

Noknoi worked at a private clinic providing abortion services on Hathairat Road in Bangkok's Minburi district for four months. Police say she attended to six pregnant women in her flat, and referred those pregnant for more than three months to a clinic near the Future Park Rangsit Department Store.

They said most of her customers, aged between 16 and 25, first visited the clinic on Hathairat Road before being sent to Noknoi's flat to pick up abortion pills. The pills were sold for about Bt500 each, and the entire abortion service cost between Bt7,000 and Bt8,000.

"I only provided consultation but some of the pregnant women wanted me to insert the pill for them," Noknoi said. "Of course, I felt guilty but I had no choice. Some of them were students and told me that they had no choice but to go through the abortion otherwise they would get into trouble with their parents."

Noknoi could face a Bt30,000 fine and three years in jail for violating the Medical Practice Bill, as well as another three years in jail and a Bt60,000 fine for abusing the Hospital Bill. She will be tried under the criminal law for providing illegal abortions.

Later, Jurin and the police officers visited the clinic on Hathairat Road but found it had closed down 30 minutes before their arrival. Then Jurin and his team headed for another clinic on Ramkhamhaeng Road and arrested four suspects. The clinic's patients were referred from another practice nearby, and it charged Bt8,200 for aborting three-month-old foetuses.

Director-general of the Department of Health Support Service, Dr Somchai Pinyopornpanich, said most illegal abortion clinics worked undercover, and many served patients referred by other practices. The department said it would gather as much information as it could about doctors providing illegal abortion services and use it as evidence for the Medical Council to withdraw their licences.

The Public Health Ministry is also keeping a close eye on private clinics providing beauty, surgery, drug-rehabilitation and family-planning services because they might also be providing illegal abortions.

-- The Nation 2010-12-28

[wolf5370]

Is it me or are they being completely short sighted here? They either turn a blind eye to the good, medically trained, "clinics" or legalise and license it. Otherwise, for every medically trained nurse giving consultation and correct pills they arrest, demand will allow for an untrained replacement with a hot bath and a coat hanger!

So, is the aim to kill more young pregnant mothers and infants, or to have more single mums?

Edited December 28, 2010 by wolf5370

[hungryhippo]

So, is the aim to kill more young pregnant mothers and infants, or to have more single mums?

It's about old religious men in high places asserting their right to dictate what young women (who don't necessarily believe in the same religion they do) can do with their own bodies.

[Colabamumbai]

What is this now The Vatican in Thailand? I hope she can keep up the good work.

[geriatrickid]

It is a disgrace that these clinics are the only option for those that cannot afford to pay the tens of thousands of baht to have it done in a hushed up setting. 2011 is upon us and it is still 1911 for women's health.

[Bagwan]

I looked at the picture and all I saw was a photo opportunity for the Health Minister - and one gorgeous lady. I have no expectations that anybody in Thailand will come up with a solution that is acceptable.

My view is that women should decide for themselves whether they wan t to become mothers or not.. I am not interested in the views of an old guy who wears pretty frocks and lives in Rome and I suspect that most ladies are not either. The problem, as with most things in Thailand, is who is going to pay for any safe procedure involving qualified professionals if ladies decide in the negative?

I think that management should post a 'heads up' message in the Ladies forum to advise them that this discussion's taking place. Their views would be very relevant and for some, illuminating.

[asiawatcher]

It is sad to abort but many simply 'have to'. Don't condemn them and make the clinics illegal. It does not lead to promiscuity. Try sex education Thailand if you are game, to talk about it! Many of the teen pregnancies only find out after being forced to. Having this young lady had up on trumped up charges is not a bust on an illegal clinic - she has been set up - possibly by the clinics who are losing money from her services. Why haven't they got the ones on New Petchaburi Road opposite the hospital? That does hundreds a week and usually referred by the hospital but no bust there. Hmmm maybe this poor girl can't afford to pay the piper. Most likely. Glad the minister got to have a chance to be in the pic.