Thailand still Grapples with Abortion Issues as American Abortion Doctor is Convicted of Murder
The Washington Post has reported that 72 year old abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was convicted on Monday of three counts of first-degree murder for severing the spinal cords of infants born alive during illegal late term abortions at his West Philadelphia clinic. He was acquitted on a forth count of murder.
Gosnell will now be sentenced. The main decision to determine is whether he should receive the death penalty or face life imprisonment. It is understood that Prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty.
The Gosnell verdict arrives at a poignant time for Thailand. There has been a long running debate throughout Thailand about the legality and morality of abortion since the discovery of 2000 fetuses in the grounds of a Bangkok Buddhist temple in late 2010 as reported by the New York Times. The admission by one of the temples undertakers that he had been secretly storing the fetuses in the crematorium vaults when the furnace broke caused shock and dismay across Thailand. Some point out that abortion should be legal and there are many reasons behind unwanted pregnancies. Others however remain firm, arguing that abortion remains a serious sin, akin to murder.
Regardless of the strong views of the public both for and against, abortion remains illegal in Thailand in accordance with sections 301-305 of the Thai Penal Code, unless the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest or will endanger the life of the mother. Performing an illegal abortion can lead to a sentence of five years imprisonment, a fine of 10,000 baht (about USD 336 as of May 2013 exchange rate) or both, whilst a woman who undergoes an abortion is liable for three years imprisonment, a fine of 6,000 baht (about USD 222) or both.
Chaninat & Leeds a Thailand law firm with Thai and US attorneys specializing in criminal defense case throughout Thailand.
