It was almost three years ago that Gammy was born in Thailand to a surrogate mum, paid for by an Australian couple. When his biological parents left him in Thailand, taking only his twin sister, the world was alerted to his plight. His story and the media attention it garnered would change the international surrogate industry in Thailand completely.
Today Gammy, who has Down syndrome, is being cared for by his Thai grandma because his surrogate mum Pattaramon ‘Goy’ Chanbua is in debt and on the run from loan sharks. Apparently Ms Chanbua has been unable to repay a $1893 loan she took out to buy her painter husband a new truck, and has not seen her children, including Gammy, for two months.
The little boy, whop turns three in December, is being raised in a house mainly paid for by charity donations that were offered up by people moved by this little boy’s plight, The Sunday Telegraph reports.
Despite the family’s current struggles, the article reported that Gammy is a “bright and happy child” who is clearly adored by his older siblings. And Ms Chanbua said: “Gammy’s doctors said that for a child with his condition, he is ¬developing very well both physically and mentally.”
Baby Gammy grabbed the world’s attention when it was revealed in early 2014 that his biological Perth parents David and Wendy Farnell had left him behind with the surrogate mum in Thailand and only taken his twin sister, Pipah, who does not have Down Syndrome.
In April this year a WA court decided the Farnells did not abandon him in Thailand. The court also ruled that Gammy’s twin, Pipah, could continue to be raised by the Farnells. Mr Farnell is a convicted sex offender — a fact which was acknowledged in the family court judgment at the time.
The huge media attention surrounding the case prompted the Thai government to finally enact legislation to ban surrogacy except between family members, ending the country’s lucrative but troubled baby industry.
