Thailand OKs abortions up to 20th week, but bigger barriers remain

Starting next month, women may obtain abortions up to the 20th week of pregnancy – eight more weeks than before – but advocates say the law still falls short of providing access to safe abortions for all women.

Though the new law promulgated yesterday allows women to terminate pregnancies within 20 weeks – with professional consultation – an abortion rights advocate said more must be done to expand access across socioeconomic levels and regardless of how far along the pregnancy.

“I think, in the end, it should be women’s decision what to do with their bodies,” said Supecha Baotip, founder of Tam Tang, an NGO that provides information about safe abortions in Thailand. 

The amendment, signed by health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, amended Criminal Code Section 305 (5). It will come into effect 30 days after it was announced in the Royal Gazette –…