Thailand vows leniency on families caught up in surrogacy controversy

Thailand's military rulers have pledged leniency in the cases of babies born to surrogate mothers, as they toughen rules on the lucrative but largely unregulated industry following a series of scandals.

Dozens, possibly hundreds, of foreign couples are thought to have been left in limbo after entering into surrogacy arrangements through Thai clinics.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-Ocha, who seized power in a coup three months ago and on Thursday was chosen as prime minister by the junta-appointed legislature, said in his weekly televised address that the military rulers would move quickly to find "sustainable solutions".

"We are concerned that Thai women who are already surrogates will not dare to consult doctors at hospitals while they are pregnant because they are afraid that they would be prosecuted," he said.

"The clinics that hired them or asked them to do it have been closed, so it is dangerous for the babies. I have already ordered leniency on a case-by-case basis."

Commercial surrogacy is banned by Thailand's Medical Council, but until recently even top fertility clinics were believed to offer the service.

The junta has vowed to introduce a law that could result in 10 years' jail for anyone found guilty of involvement in the trade.