Overview
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has recently conducted a series of raids targeting clinics suspected of involvement in a transnational surrogacy ring. Three locations in Bangkok and one in Nong Khai have been searched, with one arrest made so far.
Background: The Case of the Missing Toddler
The investigation began in February last year when a one-year-old toddler named Thaenthai went missing from the GS Kik nursery in Bangkok. Local police suspected that the child had fallen victim to a syndicate operating across Central and Northeast Thailand. The DSI consequently became involved and discovered connections to a surrogacy ring.
Investigations Lead to Multiple Raids
As the investigation widened, the DSI raided a nursery in Nong Khai’s Phon Phisai district, where they found two babies believed to have been born to paid surrogate mothers. Bank records indicated that approximately 20 surrogate mothers had been hired by an agent, with each woman being paid between 450,000-500,000 baht per baby.
The Bangkok Clinic Raids
On August 23rd, DSI officers, along with officials from the Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Department of Health Service Support, raided three clinics in Bangkok. The first raid occurred at a fertility clinic on Ngam Wong Wan Road in Chatuchak district. A fertility specialist doctor was found to have provided diagnosis and treatment to paid surrogate mothers from 2018-2020. Medical records of illegal surrogates were also discovered.
The second raid took place at a fertility clinic on Phetchaburi Road in Bang Kapi district, where the same doctor had worked part-time, offering fertility diagnoses. The final raid occurred at a clinic on Phloenchit Road in Pathumwan district. Records linked the doctor to this clinic’s operations, which had been providing health examinations to paid surrogate mothers before sending them abroad for intracytoplasmic sperm injections. Passports of the surrogate mothers and their infants were also found. The clinic did not have permission to use medical reproductive technology or offer related services.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
On August 28th, the DSI and Nong Khai Provincial Police arrested Sunate Chomsri for his alleged involvement in the surrogacy ring. A list of names of procured and paid surrogate mothers was found at his house, with the intended customers believed to be foreign nationals.
As the DSI continues to crack down on illegal surrogacy operations, further arrests and investigations are expected.
