ID :
185291
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 11:17
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http://m.oananews.org//node/185291
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Thailand repatriates Vietnamese surrogate mothers, babies
BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - Thailand has repatriated five Vietnamese surrogate mothers and their babies, while authorities prepare to discuss human-trafficking solutions.
Isara Somchai, Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security, accompanied the group on a flight to Hanoi on Monday morning.
Mr Isara said although the five babies were born in Thailand, they would not be granted Thai nationality, as their mothers entered the Kingdom for an illicit purpose.
The arrested females were however, considered victims of human trafficking and were not prosecuted, he added.
Mr Isara noted he would jointly discuss human trafficking solutions with the Vietnamese security minister during his trip this week, citing strict anti-human trafficking law in Vietnam.
Until now, Thailand was known as both an importer and exporter of human-trafficking victims, with many traffickers choosing to operate their businesses here.
Although the five suspects were arrested, their ring leader was still at large, and believed to be holding a complete list of surrogacy clients hiding in Thailand. Investigations revealed the five suspects were promised with a sum of 100,000 baht each on the job.
Meanwhile, a number of Vietnamese clients had approached the suspects to identify their children, but to no avail.
One the suspects said she would never again enter the business, adding she wanted the biological parent to take back the child as her family was poor. She admitted she needed money, and was not aware the service was illegal.
Earlier on May 10, fifteen suspects were repatriated to Vietnam, five of which were pregnant. (TNA)
Isara Somchai, Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security, accompanied the group on a flight to Hanoi on Monday morning.
Mr Isara said although the five babies were born in Thailand, they would not be granted Thai nationality, as their mothers entered the Kingdom for an illicit purpose.
The arrested females were however, considered victims of human trafficking and were not prosecuted, he added.
Mr Isara noted he would jointly discuss human trafficking solutions with the Vietnamese security minister during his trip this week, citing strict anti-human trafficking law in Vietnam.
Until now, Thailand was known as both an importer and exporter of human-trafficking victims, with many traffickers choosing to operate their businesses here.
Although the five suspects were arrested, their ring leader was still at large, and believed to be holding a complete list of surrogacy clients hiding in Thailand. Investigations revealed the five suspects were promised with a sum of 100,000 baht each on the job.
Meanwhile, a number of Vietnamese clients had approached the suspects to identify their children, but to no avail.
One the suspects said she would never again enter the business, adding she wanted the biological parent to take back the child as her family was poor. She admitted she needed money, and was not aware the service was illegal.
Earlier on May 10, fifteen suspects were repatriated to Vietnam, five of which were pregnant. (TNA)
