Assisted reproductive technologies in Thailand: 2001–2007 results generated from the ART Registry, Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Abstract

Despite many limitations, the data provided in this report will help patients, clinicians and policy makers understand the current situation of ART practice in Thailand.

From ‘Mung Ming’ to ‘Baby Gammy’: a local history of assisted reproduction in Thailand

“…However, the availability of assisted reproductive treatment remains limited and inaccessible for most of those who require treatment ( Vutyavanich et al, 2011 ). With no public insurance available for infertility treatment in Thailand, assisted reproduction remains an out-of-pocket expense beyond the financial reach of most average Thais.…”

“…With no public insurance available for infertility treatment in Thailand, assisted reproduction remains an out-of-pocket expense beyond the financial reach of most average Thais. The difference in cost between public and private treatment ranges on average between US $2900 per cycle in government hospitals to US $5800 or more per cycle in private centres, while the average per capita income of Thais is estimated to be US $240 per month ( Vutyavanich et al, 2011 ). This cost differential reflects patient preference for particular clinicians who are able to command higher prices, and the fact that in private centres, patients have access to their choice of specialist, staff costs are higher and treatments may involve a range of additional procedures or more expensive medications.…”

“…This cost differential reflects patient preference for particular clinicians who are able to command higher prices, and the fact that in private centres, patients have access to their choice of specialist, staff costs are higher and treatments may involve a range of additional procedures or more expensive medications. In addition, three-quarters of the infertility clinics in Thailand are in the urban centres ( Vutyavanich et al, 2011 ), limiting physical accessibility for the majority of the population living in rural areas.…”

“…But following the success of IVF elsewhere in the world, Thai specialists began to experiment with in-vitro techniques, leading to the development of a Thai IVF industry to assist people experiencing infertility. By 2007 there were 30 clinics licensed to provide assisted reproductive treatment in Thailand, carrying out over 4288 cycles per year, evidence of the rapid penetration of new reproductive technologies across the country ( Vutyavanich et al, 2011 ).…”

Becoming a Surrogate Online: “Message Board” Surrogacy in Thailand

“…Whereas commercial surrogacy has not yet evolved into a huge industry as it has in India, it is nonetheless being practised in Thailand, where about 30 IVF clinics are currently operating and approximately 3,000-4,000 IVF cycles are performed annually. According to national records, 2,623 IVF F I N D I N G S cycles were performed in , 3,140 cycles in 2005, and 3,304 cycles in 2007(Vutyavanich et al 2011. The practice of third-party reproduction is currently "regulated" by guidelines issued by the Medical Council of Thailand in 1997 and 2001 (Announcement nos.…”