On September 27, 2022, Thai Ministry of Public Health announced that they decide to legalize abortion the gestational age exceeds twelve weeks but does not exceed twenty weeks, making pregnant women’s abortion more flexible through medical procedures. The new law will come into effect 30 days after the publication of this notice,[1] which is on October 26, 2022.
泰國衛生部在2022年9月27日宣布決定將懷孕超過12周但未滿20周的墮胎合法化，使懷孕婦女透過醫療程序有更彈性的墮胎。新法將於公告30天後生效，即，2022年10月26日。
At first, abortion was illegal in Thailand according to Thai Criminal Code, except for incidents of rape or threat to the mothers’ lives. The punishment was either a fine of up to THB10,000 or six months in prison, or both. However, since February 2021 abortion has been legalized for women up to 12 weeks’ pregnancy.
一開始除了強姦事件或是對婦女的生命有威脅，墮胎依據《泰國刑法》在泰國是違法的，處罰為10,000的罰款或是6個月的刑期、或是兩者併罰。但是自2021年2月起未滿12周的墮胎在泰國已合法。
With the announcement indicating the Royal Gazette, women with more than 12 weeks pregnant but under 20 weeks seeking a legal abortion must fulfil certain criteria. Also, the abortion must be made before “consulting with medical consultants so that women have all the information before they decide to terminate the pregnancy.”
當公告於皇家公報上公告時，懷孕超過12周未滿20周的婦女要墮胎需要符合特定標準。另外，應該在“諮詢醫療顧問，以便婦女在決定終止妊娠之前了解所有資訊”之後進行墮胎。
The following are detail of the announcement:
以下為公告細節:
Ø The examination and suggestion units includes public and private hospitals and organization.
提供檢查及建議的單位包含公私立醫院及機構。
Ø For abortion more than 12 weeks but under 20 weeks, an application should be submitted by written, telephone, or electronic methods to professional hospitals and organizations provided by Ministry of Public Health, and women should receive full examination and advice.
當懷孕超過12周未滿20周後要墮胎，應該以書面、電話、或電子方式向泰國衛生部提供的專業醫院及機構提出申請，且婦女應接受完整的檢查及建議。
Ø After receiving the suggestion, for abortion more than 12 weeks but under 20 weeks is acceptable based on Thai Criminal Code Article 305. For abortion more than 20 weeks, it will be acceptable if it meets Thai Criminal Code Article 305 (1) - (3).
收到建議後，針對懷孕超過12周未滿20周的婦女如果要墮胎，可以依據《泰國刑法》第305條進行。針對懷孕超過20周的墮胎，可以依據《泰國刑法》第305(1) - (3)條進行。
Ø Non-medical specialists can provide abortion advice after receiving professional training, which civil society organizations certified by the Department of Health that offer alternative counseling services to pregnant women.
非醫療專業人員可以在完整專業訓練後提供墮胎建議，衛生部核可的為孕婦提供替代諮詢服務的民間社會組織。
Ø When providing abortion advice, the specialists should meet the condition which are a.) be serious b.) do not judge a women’s behavior c.) should provide women with details information such as the risk of having abortion.
當提供墮胎建議，專家應該符合這些規定a.) 認真 b.) 不評論婦女的行為 c.) 應提供婦女完整的資訊像是墮胎的風險。
Ø When receiving abortion advice, the women should avoid going beyond the legal abortion period.
婦女應避免在超出合法的墮胎時間接受墮胎建議。
Ø After providing the examination and suggestion, relevant hospitals and organizations should provide certificate (can be electronic file).
提供檢查及建議後，相關醫院以及機構須提供證明文件(可為電子檔)。
[1] Section 305 (5) of the Criminal Code of Thailand.
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