JAKARTA - Thailand will legalize abortion until the gestational age enters 20 weeks, the government said on Tuesday, relaxing pregnant women's access to previously restricted medical procedures.
Abortion remains illegal in Thailand, except for incidents of rape or threats to mother's life, until February last year, when it was lifted for pregnant women up to 12 weeks.
However, there is still a strong stigma surrounding procedures in the Buddhist majority country, which were damaged by 2010 cases when about 2,000 illegally aborted fetuses were found in a temple.
A 20-week abortion will now be authorized, a government statement said on Tuesday, adding "the abortion will not be counted as a crime," CNA reported from AFP Sept. 28.
Previously, abortion could be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 baht (263 US dollars) or six months in prison or both.
A notice on the Royal Gazette on Monday stipulates that pregnant women for more than 12 weeks but under 20 weeks seeking legal abortion must meet certain criteria.
The government's statement stipulates that people in this category should "consult with medical consultants, so the woman has all the information before she decides to end the pregnancy".
Despite the changes to the law in February last year, access to abortion across Thailand remains limited and highly stigmatized.
Deputy government spokesman Traisuree Traisoranakul told local Thai PBS outlets that women seeking abortion should be treated with respect and highly secret.
He added they should be given all medical information, not to face pressure on the decision. It is known, the new law will take effect 30 days after the announcement of the notification.
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