Thai Department of Health Service Support (HSS) dispatched representatives to gather more information about the case where an Australian national hired a Thai surrogate mother but abandoned the infant after finding that it has Down's syndrome.
Dr Akom Praditsuwan, director of the Sanatorium and the Arts of Healing Bureau under the HSS, said a team of officials would be dispatched today to investigate the case of an Australian national hiring a Thai surrogate mother, but when the baby boy was born with Down's syndrome, the Australian left the infant in Thailand.
Dr Akom said the authorities would inspect the clinic which provided the service, along with the legally responsible physician and his license.
If found without the necessary licence, the physician could be fined Bt30,000 and/or imprisoned for one year in accordance with the Nursing Act for providing inappropriate services.
The licence of the physician could also be revoked, as the case would be referred to the Medical Council of Thailand for further consideration, including punishment.
As a preliminary prevention measure, the HSS has examined information on 12 clinics providing surrogate services, as well as inspecting each clinic. Seen of the 12 clinics have legal licences, while five others do not.