Let’s understand first, there are 74 countries in the world where abortion is a healthcare service, like treating common illnesses, so no specific laws are needed. Most of these are developed countries. Interestingly, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Vietnam, and Cambodia are also in this group. Thailand is certainly not one of them.
Originally, our country did not have abortion laws. Thai women in ancient times could have abortions as a basic right without state involvement. The decision to continue or not continue a pregnancy was a personal matter. However, when our country began developing laws over 100 years ago, we modeled this law after Germany, making abortion illegal in all cases. Until the year 1957, there was another adjustment, allowing women to have abortions in cases of health problems, rape, and for girls under 15 years old.
Today, Germany, one of the 74 countries mentioned above, has abolished this law and granted it as a right to women, similar to ancient Thailand. But… Thailand still uses the 1957 law to this day, entering its 62nd year. Family, economic, and social conditions have changed significantly. Even the Office of the Council of State (with the motto “Committed to creating quality Thai laws”) has taken up the abortion law for revision again in 2017, but it is not yet finalized.
The law enacted when our grandmothers were children, applied in the 4.0 era, inevitably faces practical problems. We have a true story to tell…