A comparative study of abortion issuen in Thailand and Vietnam

Abstract

Abortion has so far remained one of the most hotly debated socio-cultural and health issues all over the world. The debate turns around the questions of whether or not abortion should be legal; who has the right to make the decision concerning abortion, the individual or the state; and under what circumstances it may be done. Obviously, each society with its own culture has different ways of coping with abortion issues. This research aims to explain the reasons for the differences in public policy towards the abortion laws between Thailand and Vietnam based on the similarities and differences in history, religion, culture and governance in the two countries, explore whether changing public attitudes and opinions in Thailand and Vietnam have had any impact on government policy, and put forward some suggestions for practical solutions to the abortion issues in both countries.