100's of Foetuses found in Bangkok Wat
Re: 100's of Foetuses found in Bangkok Wat
I tend to agree with VS on this one. As I've mentioned, I know of two women who have used legal clinics to terminate their pregnancies. With that said, both had it done within the first six weeks, and from what I was told, it took no more than an injection (in the arm) and some pills. Neither of them went to a dingy backstreet clinic, and neither of them put their lives or health at risk. Unfortunately I don't know anymore details so I can't comment on what others have said.
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
Re: 100's of Foetuses found in Bangkok Wat
It has nothing to do whether or not laws in Thailand are bendy flexy. It has more to do with the subject of another thread; education.
As foreigners we tend to think, and be influenced, by the social environment where we grew up.
For the vast majority of women that find themselves in this situation in Thailand, everything about their upbringing tells them that the "law", and its enforcement, is to be avoided.
It does not stop at abortion. The attitude prevails right throughout Thai society.
.....................................................................................................
First shock and dismay, then swept under the carpet
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... the-carpet
Many aspects of Thai society may have changed, yet so many problems have been allowed to brew, fester and be swept under the carpet until they explode, prompting a knee-jerk reaction and a flurry of activity, which eventually comes to nought. The foetus scandal at Wat Phai Ngern Chotanaram appears to be headed in that direction.
Like many other cases, the temple scandal illustrates a long-time weakness of law enforcement. The public was quite shaken up when over 400 foetuses and body parts were discovered at the temple. The horror and dismay was magnified when the number topped 2,000. Predictably, police are quick to arrest suspects in high-profile cases.
Lanchakorn Jantamanas has been arrested for conducting the abortions and sending the bodies to be disposed of by the two undertakers. In a bizarre twist, her mother, Sombat Sinothok, revealed that she is taking care of four babies who survived the abortions. What happens to Mrs Sombat is secondary to the fate of these four children.
Still unanswered is which officials were involved in allowing Mrs Sombat to keep these children? And as far as the temple is concerned, the buck appears to have stopped with the two undertakers. It is difficult to accept the story that no one else at the temple _ especially the abbot and other monks _ was aware of what was happening. How is this possible?
Predictably, authorities say that there are hundreds of clinics performing illegal abortions and that investigations will be launched. Predictably, that's as far as it will go.
The undertakers say they could only identify a number of clinics where some of the foetuses came from. For the others, they have no idea because the foetuses were simply delivered. The extent of this network _ whether clinics in other or inner parts of Bangkok are involved _ will not be known as public and official attention moves swiftly to other issues.
Sadly, we have a way of absolving ourselves for allowing this situation to persist. We conduct merit-making ceremonies to ask forgiveness of the spirits and souls of the unborn babies. The morgue at Wat Phai Ngern Chotanaram will be demolished and transformed into a meditation centre. How easy it is to sweep things under the carpet. How easy it is to make us feel better.
Setting aside the issue of law enforcement, or the lack of it, the question is: how can we really make any headway in tackling the issue of unwanted pregnancies? Studies show that out of 100 teenagers, 15.5% get pregnant each year compared to 10.4% 10 years ago.
Many reasons have been cited for the rise in sexual activity among teenagers _ family issues, consumption of alcohol, drug abuse and the media's portrayal of sex as a normal activity. The rapid rise in the use of social media is also a factor.
The current law allows abortions for rape victims who are less than three months pregnant, or in cases where a foetus has incomplete organs, or when a woman faces a serious health threat from the pregnancy. This does not provide enough options.
Although we are still waiting for details, a proposal is being tabled to amend the law to allow for "consensual and necessary abortion" to give women more options when dealing with unwanted pregnancies. The proposed bill could cover minors and pregnancies among women who have insufficient mental capacity to rear a child. Only registered clinics would be allowed to perform abortions. Although more options should be given to women with unwanted pregnancies, new legislation alone is no guarantee that the number of illegal abortions will drop. Women with unwanted pregnancies, especially minors and those in lower income groups, should have the option of having their child and putting the baby up for adoption. A state system and infrastructure should be put in place for this option.
I cannot agree with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said that the existing laws are appropriate and flexible enough and there is no need to amend them or add new laws.
But I wholeheartedly agree when he says that "all sides must cooperate to foster the right values in young people to prevent the problem from worsening".
Any new law should not just focus on the medical option alone. It should include a more holistic approach, taking into consideration the social and educational issues that would help shape behaviour pertaining to sex among youths. It should include funding for support facilities for women with unwanted pregnancies and various organisations which help women and youths deal with their predicament. It should include funding for continued and prolonged public campaigning and education programmes.
But sadly, like so many issues and scandals which shock or capture the public's attention, prompting knee-jerk reactions, I fear the matter will soon be swept under the carpet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pichai Chuensuksawadi is Editor-in-Chief of Post Publishing Plc.
As foreigners we tend to think, and be influenced, by the social environment where we grew up.
For the vast majority of women that find themselves in this situation in Thailand, everything about their upbringing tells them that the "law", and its enforcement, is to be avoided.
It does not stop at abortion. The attitude prevails right throughout Thai society.
.....................................................................................................
First shock and dismay, then swept under the carpet
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... the-carpet
Many aspects of Thai society may have changed, yet so many problems have been allowed to brew, fester and be swept under the carpet until they explode, prompting a knee-jerk reaction and a flurry of activity, which eventually comes to nought. The foetus scandal at Wat Phai Ngern Chotanaram appears to be headed in that direction.
Like many other cases, the temple scandal illustrates a long-time weakness of law enforcement. The public was quite shaken up when over 400 foetuses and body parts were discovered at the temple. The horror and dismay was magnified when the number topped 2,000. Predictably, police are quick to arrest suspects in high-profile cases.
Lanchakorn Jantamanas has been arrested for conducting the abortions and sending the bodies to be disposed of by the two undertakers. In a bizarre twist, her mother, Sombat Sinothok, revealed that she is taking care of four babies who survived the abortions. What happens to Mrs Sombat is secondary to the fate of these four children.
Still unanswered is which officials were involved in allowing Mrs Sombat to keep these children? And as far as the temple is concerned, the buck appears to have stopped with the two undertakers. It is difficult to accept the story that no one else at the temple _ especially the abbot and other monks _ was aware of what was happening. How is this possible?
Predictably, authorities say that there are hundreds of clinics performing illegal abortions and that investigations will be launched. Predictably, that's as far as it will go.
The undertakers say they could only identify a number of clinics where some of the foetuses came from. For the others, they have no idea because the foetuses were simply delivered. The extent of this network _ whether clinics in other or inner parts of Bangkok are involved _ will not be known as public and official attention moves swiftly to other issues.
Sadly, we have a way of absolving ourselves for allowing this situation to persist. We conduct merit-making ceremonies to ask forgiveness of the spirits and souls of the unborn babies. The morgue at Wat Phai Ngern Chotanaram will be demolished and transformed into a meditation centre. How easy it is to sweep things under the carpet. How easy it is to make us feel better.
Setting aside the issue of law enforcement, or the lack of it, the question is: how can we really make any headway in tackling the issue of unwanted pregnancies? Studies show that out of 100 teenagers, 15.5% get pregnant each year compared to 10.4% 10 years ago.
Many reasons have been cited for the rise in sexual activity among teenagers _ family issues, consumption of alcohol, drug abuse and the media's portrayal of sex as a normal activity. The rapid rise in the use of social media is also a factor.
The current law allows abortions for rape victims who are less than three months pregnant, or in cases where a foetus has incomplete organs, or when a woman faces a serious health threat from the pregnancy. This does not provide enough options.
Although we are still waiting for details, a proposal is being tabled to amend the law to allow for "consensual and necessary abortion" to give women more options when dealing with unwanted pregnancies. The proposed bill could cover minors and pregnancies among women who have insufficient mental capacity to rear a child. Only registered clinics would be allowed to perform abortions. Although more options should be given to women with unwanted pregnancies, new legislation alone is no guarantee that the number of illegal abortions will drop. Women with unwanted pregnancies, especially minors and those in lower income groups, should have the option of having their child and putting the baby up for adoption. A state system and infrastructure should be put in place for this option.
I cannot agree with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said that the existing laws are appropriate and flexible enough and there is no need to amend them or add new laws.
But I wholeheartedly agree when he says that "all sides must cooperate to foster the right values in young people to prevent the problem from worsening".
Any new law should not just focus on the medical option alone. It should include a more holistic approach, taking into consideration the social and educational issues that would help shape behaviour pertaining to sex among youths. It should include funding for support facilities for women with unwanted pregnancies and various organisations which help women and youths deal with their predicament. It should include funding for continued and prolonged public campaigning and education programmes.
But sadly, like so many issues and scandals which shock or capture the public's attention, prompting knee-jerk reactions, I fear the matter will soon be swept under the carpet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pichai Chuensuksawadi is Editor-in-Chief of Post Publishing Plc.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: 100's of Foetuses found in Bangkok Wat
Discussion with abbot today on details of facility to be erected after morgue is dismantled
After the morgue at Bangkok's Wat Phai Ngern -- where the dead foetuses were uncovered -- is dismantled soon, a meditation centre will be built on the site, PM's Office Minister Ongart Klampaiboon said yesterday.
Details of the facility's construction will be discussed with the abbot today, while a planned meritmaking for the dead babies will take place soon, he said. Cremation of all the foetuses will be discussed after police have completed autopsies on them.
Citing a Thai tradition forbidding cremation of young babies, Ongart said he would seek advice from people with the knowledge to make a final decision based on cultural aspects of the case.
After an inspection of all morgues, which uncovered a total of 2,002 foetuses last week, people have started leaving offerings and flowers at the scene in memory of the unborn children.
The first meritmaking ceremony hosted by the temple is scheduled for Saturday, and it is preparing to host activities expected to draw a crowd of thousands. The ceremony begins at 9.30 am with 40 monks chanting Buddhist prayers to mourn the unborn and deliver the merit to them.
A prank call was made to Phraya Krai police yesterday claiming 20 foetuses had been found in areas near the temple, but police and rescue workers found nothing after a thorough inspection.
Police said they had assigned a guard to watch over Suthep Chabangbon and Suchart Phoomee, the two undertakers released on bail after admitting to hiding or disposing of the foetuses without permission. They now reside in the temple.
Responding to speculation over possible media reforms to control coverage of provocative issues and sexuallyoriented content, Ongart said he thought the media was careful enough about its professional ethics. He said a government campaign to encourage morality among teenagers would soon be carried out as planned.
-- The Nation 2010-11-22
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: 100's of Foetuses found in Bangkok Wat
Jurin: Govt acting against abortion mills
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -abortions
The government is speeding up the crackdown on illegal abortion clinics across the country, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Tuesday.
Many of the illegal abortion clinics are using family planning, beauty care and cosmetic surgery clinics and drug rehabilitation centres as a front, Mr Jurin said.
"There is no need to change the abortion laws but the government will need to reconsider if it wants to place abortion issues in the national agenda," the minister said. "I believe we should instead look into the root cause of the problem."
He said his ministry will work with the Education Ministry to put sex education in the school curriculum so young people learn family planning and ways to avoid premarital sex.
Mr Jurin made the comment after officals last week discovered 2,002 foetuses at a temple in Bangkok's Bang Rak district last week.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -abortions
The government is speeding up the crackdown on illegal abortion clinics across the country, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Tuesday.
Many of the illegal abortion clinics are using family planning, beauty care and cosmetic surgery clinics and drug rehabilitation centres as a front, Mr Jurin said.
"There is no need to change the abortion laws but the government will need to reconsider if it wants to place abortion issues in the national agenda," the minister said. "I believe we should instead look into the root cause of the problem."
He said his ministry will work with the Education Ministry to put sex education in the school curriculum so young people learn family planning and ways to avoid premarital sex.
Mr Jurin made the comment after officals last week discovered 2,002 foetuses at a temple in Bangkok's Bang Rak district last week.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: 100's of Foetuses found in Bangkok Wat
A secondary after the fact player in all of this was just sentenced to 667 years in prison for conspiracy, reduced to 20. The main player who performed the abortions is still out on 200,000 bail. As this story was published at midnight, I suspect she was on her way to the airport at 0001 hours. This poor guy in this story is a scapegoat I'm afraid to appease society's anger. If we ever hear about the woman again who actually performed the abortions, IMO her sentence won't be that severe. Let's see if she even goes to trial? Pete
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... s-20-years
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... s-20-years
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source