Is abortion in Thailand really illegal? Clarifying common misconceptions
Is abortion illegal in Thailand?
Many people still mistakenly believe that abortion is completely illegal in Thailand. However, in reality, Thai law has been amended and updated to allow women to terminate a pregnancy under certain conditions without breaking the law.
Latest update on abortion laws in Thailand
According to the Amendment to the Criminal Code (No. 28) B.E. 2564 (2021), abortion in Thailand is permissible under the following conditions:
- Pregnancy not exceeding 12 weeks: Termination of pregnancy is allowed without conditions
- Pregnancy between 12-20 weeks: Allowed with counseling
- Termination of pregnancy is allowed at any stage : If the pregnancy poses a risk to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person, if the pregnant person is under 15 years old, if the fetus has severe abnormalities, or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or sexual abuse without the need for a police report
How to have a safe and legal abortion?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and wish to terminate it, you should only seek services from authorized medical facilities. Do not purchase abortion pills from unreliable sources or undergo illegal abortions, as they can be life-threatening and illegal.
Safe methods of pregnancy termination include:
- Medical Abortion for pregnancies not exceeding 12 weeks: Medication can be used to terminate the pregnancy at home. If more than 12 weeks, an overnight stay at a medical facility is required
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) for pregnancies not exceeding 12 weeks, and up to 16 weeks if performed by a skilled physician
Dangers of illegal abortions
- Using non-standard abortifacients can cause severe hemorrhaging
- Abortions performed by individuals without medical knowledge can lead to infections or life-threatening complications
- Lack of post-abortion care increases the risk of long-term health impacts
Conclusion: Is abortion really illegal?
Abortion in Thailand is not illegal if it falls under the specified conditions. Therefore, if you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and need advice, you should seek services from a specialist to ensure safe care.
Need advice on pregnancy termination? Contact us here RSA Online: https://abortion.rsathai.org
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