Thai requirements

Friday, August 15, 2014

Thai authorities have prevented Aussie IP’s from leaving Bangkok today with their kids. There is a requirement to obtain approval from a Thai Family and Juvenile Court to remove the child first. This is a new requirement. It should be expected that this will be slow. How it will be dealt with is not known.

The Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said:

Further to this, the following can be attributed to a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade:

“We have been advised that Thai authorities may enforce enhanced documentation requirements when exiting the country, when they suspect a child has been born by surrogacy in Thailand.

“The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website was updated on 14 August to reflect these requirements.

“We strongly urge Australians entering Thailand for the purposes of commercial surrogacy to seek independent legal advice in both Thailand and Australia before doing so. In particular, they should seek advice on the implications of any new exit requirements.

“While regulation of surrogacy in Thailand is a matter for Thailand, we continue to encourage Thai authorities to adopt appropriate transitional arrangements for any new measures they may introduce, so concerned Australians are not unduly affected.

“If Australians require consular assistance in Thailand, they should contact the Australian Embassy in Bangkok or DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre (+61 2 6261 3305). The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to assist Australians overseas when requested, in accordance with its Consular Services Charter.”

Thai requirements

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