A 24-year-old Japanese man who has fathered more
than a dozen surrogate babies in Thailand said he is ready to return to
Thailand early next month to talk to police and claim his children
currently in the care of the government. police said Monday.
A senior Thai police officer told Kyodo News that Mitsutoki Shigeta communicated his wishes through his Thai lawyer, Kong Suriyamonthon.
The official said Mr Kong contacted police Sept 26 and told them Mr Shigeta will travel to Thailand by early October at the latest.
A parental test conducted by Thai authorities through DNA samples provided by the man has shown he is the biological father of the babies. Mr Kong on Sept 3 provided a written statement to police explaining why his client fathered the children through surrogacy.
According to Thai law, a father who wants to obtain parental rights needs to testify before a family court. Thai police have said they want to hear the man's explanations in person.
The Japanese father had also previously promised to visit Thailand to undertake the legal procedures of parenthood.
According to police, Mr Shigeta has fathered 16 children in Thailand. Mr Kong has said Mr Shigeta also fathered two surrogate children in India. Police said last month the man left Thailand with four new-born babies bound for Cambodia so far this year, taking with him one baby at a time.
Mr Shigeta, traveling with a Cambodian passport visited, Cambodia more than 10 times, according to police.
Police found out more surrogate babies fathered by the Japanese man in an apartment in Bangkok together with their nannies. The babies' birth certificates named Mr Shigeta as their father.
A senior Thai police officer told Kyodo News that Mitsutoki Shigeta communicated his wishes through his Thai lawyer, Kong Suriyamonthon.
An Internet webcam photo of Mitsutoki Shigeta, who has fathered more
than a dozen surrogate babies in Thailand. His lawyer said Monday he
will return to Thailand to claim the children by early October. (AFP
photo)
Thai police have told Mr Shigeta to explain the circumstances
surrounding his act of fathering surrogate babies, warning that legal
action will be taken unless he gives an account personally to police.The official said Mr Kong contacted police Sept 26 and told them Mr Shigeta will travel to Thailand by early October at the latest.
A parental test conducted by Thai authorities through DNA samples provided by the man has shown he is the biological father of the babies. Mr Kong on Sept 3 provided a written statement to police explaining why his client fathered the children through surrogacy.
According to Thai law, a father who wants to obtain parental rights needs to testify before a family court. Thai police have said they want to hear the man's explanations in person.
The Japanese father had also previously promised to visit Thailand to undertake the legal procedures of parenthood.
According to police, Mr Shigeta has fathered 16 children in Thailand. Mr Kong has said Mr Shigeta also fathered two surrogate children in India. Police said last month the man left Thailand with four new-born babies bound for Cambodia so far this year, taking with him one baby at a time.
Mr Shigeta, traveling with a Cambodian passport visited, Cambodia more than 10 times, according to police.
Police found out more surrogate babies fathered by the Japanese man in an apartment in Bangkok together with their nannies. The babies' birth certificates named Mr Shigeta as their father.
