Thailand’s parliament has passed changes to the country’s criminal code, giving women full abortion rights in the first trimester of their pregnancy, almost a year after a top court ruled that existing curbs ran counter to the constitution.
Pro-choice groups have met the move with muted praise. They say the amendments do not go far enough and warn that many women may still turn to risky illegal abortions unless the government also commits to raising awareness and expanding access.
“It is a positive development to have certain legal grounds that allow abortion, but it is not enough to ensure that all pregnant women can access abortion and that their reproductive rights are advanced,” said Jihan Jacob, a senior legal adviser for Asia with the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Until now women in Thailand could get a legal abortion only if the pregnancy resulted from rape, or if…
