Having a Baby: Pregnancy and Birth in Thailand

This Information page exists to guide you through the legislation and administrative details of having a baby in Thailand - the more personal decisions on how, where and who are, just that, personal. Find out about the birth and post-natal care, as well as registration of the birth, medical insurance coverage, and maternity leave.

Confirming Pregnancy

Pregnancy testing kits are sold at most pharmacies. A gynaecologist can confirm pregnancy with blood and urine tests; gynaecologists work from international and government hospitals.

A copy of the test results should be given to the insurance company and to the employer as soon as possible in order to receive maternity care benefits if applicable.

Pre-natal Care

Each hospital has different procedures for pre-natal care. In government hospitals the gynaecologist monitors the mother's and baby's health once a month, and then more frequently in the last two months up to the birth. 

There are no formal government-run pre-natal classes, however there are many private companies that organise one-day workshops.

The Birth

Most hospitals have modern facilities and a hospital is the most usual location for a birth unless the mother lives in a very rural area. Caesarean deliveries may be popular and time efficient for the hospital staff but the choice of delivery should remain with the mother and it is recommended that she discuss this with her gynaecologist.

Home births are neither standard nor encouraged in Thai hospitals. However they are becoming more sought after, so this might change in the future. A gynaecologist will have up-to-date knowledge. In some cases, insurance policies may not cover all expenses related to home births.

At this time, Samitivej Hospital is the only hospital in Thailand that offers a Birth Centre with options for natural and water birth.

All nurses do six months of midwifery as part of their standard training. Although some then specialise in midwifery, they are generally given very little responsibility as the obstetrician will carry out the birth.

It is common for the mother to stay in the hospital for two to three days after the birth.

Postnatal Care

Different hospitals will have different procedures for postnatal care, but typically the postnatal period involves examinations of both the mother and the child. The baby has an examination in the first week and then up to six further times in the first year, three examinations during the second year and then an examination every six months up to the sixth birthday. It is typical for vaccinations to be administered at the same time as the examination.

The gynaecologist will examine the mother and the baby between four and eight weeks after delivery.

Health record

The health record of the child at birth will be given to the mother on discharge from the hospital. This may be in Thai or in English if it is an international hospital.

This record must be taken to every medical consultation of the child until they are 18 years of age. The medical examiner will enter the details of any procedure and this will act as a record of full medical history.

Vaccinations

The health record acts as a certificate of vaccinations. The doctor or the clinic will sign and date the book after each vaccination.

Vaccinations are not obligatory except for the BCG to prevent tuberculosis.

In Thailand, recommended vaccinations from birth to 16 years old include:

• Poliomyelitis
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Japanese B Encephalitis Vaccine
• Haemophilus Influenza (HIB)
• Hepatitis B

Registration of the Birth

A birth in Thailand is legally recognised under Thai Law only if it has been registered at the District Office. Birth registration must take place within 30 days of the birth. In Bangkok the name for the District Office is "Khet", but in the rest of Thailand it is known as "Amphur", sometimes spelt "Amphoe".

Birth registration can be completed at any District Office nationwide. A list of addresses and telephone numbers for all the district offices in Thailand can be found in the English version of the Yellow Pages or by telephoning the Yellow Pages direct (Tel: 1188 ). District Offices are open Monday to Friday 08:30-16:00 except for public holidays.

At the local District Office the birth certificate is issued after the paperwork is completed. The paperwork and birth certificate are in Thai and it's unlikely that anyone will speak English but a translator is allowed to help. It is not possible to book an appointment to complete the procedure and there can be a queue. The birth can be registered by the mother and father or by the mother alone.

On completion of the birth registration a copy of the Birth Certificate is given to the parents.

The child's name

There are some restrictions for Thai names, for example, a child may not be given the same name as any of the royal family who all have very special and unique names.

Registering the birth at the Embassy

If one of the parents is not a Thai national it is advisable to report the birth to their Embassy who will issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a Birth Certificate.

Some or all of the following are needed to register a newborn with the Embassy. Check with the Embassy for exact details:

• The birth certificate, translated into English
• A passport-sized photograph
• The parents' passports
• A copy of the parents' marriage certificate, if applicable
• Divorce Certificate, if applicable
• A fee payable to the Embassy

The process usually takes one to three weeks depending on the Embassy.

• For details of registering a child with the US Embassy: Click here
• For details of registering a child with the British Embassy: Click here

Citizenship

Children of foreign citizens do not acquire Thai nationality if they are born in Thailand. Children that have one Thai parent are automatically granted Thai citizenship.

Medical Insurance Coverage

Depending on the insurance policy and whether the policy has been held for more than seven to ten months, maternity cover is available. International health insurance is accepted in hospitals and clinics throughout Thailand.

Maternity benefits will vary depending on the policy but typically include coverage of the following costs:

• Pre- and post-natal examinations and care
• Normal delivery
• Caesarean delivery
• Treatment of complications during the delivery
• Delivery following fertility treatment
• Any costs associated with hospital or home delivery

Other insurance premiums may include:

• Care of newborn children
• Fertility treatments
• Congenital birth defects

Maternity Leave

In Thailand, an expecting mother is protected under the Labour Protection Act of 1998. Women employees are entitled to the following:

• 90 days of maternity leave
• Full pay: 45 days from the employer and 45 days from the Social Welfare Fund 
• With a doctor's certificate a temporary change of duties either before and/or after the child's birth is allowed
• Protection from termination of employment due to pregnancy

Note: To be entitled to paid maternity leave, the woman must have paid contributions to the Social Welfare Fund for at least seven months before pregnancy. All forms and applications are made in Thai.

• For further information see the Social Security Office website

Employers in Thailand are not required to provide medical benefits for pre-natal and post-natal care and childbirth, childcare provisions or breaks for breastfeeding.

• For further information from the International Labour Organisation: Click here

Further Information

• Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
• Labour Protection Act
• Department of Employment