Two accused of illegal surrogacy in China arrested in Pattaya

A Chinese couple accused of operating an illegal surrogacy service in Hangzhou, China, were arrested at their hideout in Pattaya on Sunday.

The pair, identified only as Mr Yan, 43, and Ms Mi, 33, were taken into custody from a hotel in Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri by Thai police at the request of Chinese authorities, the Immigration Bureau announced.

The suspects are wanted by the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau on a charge of operating an illegal commercial surrogacy service in Linping district of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China, police said.

Mr Yan was reportedly a key individual, in charge of organising others to conduct assisted reproductive procedures in rented housing that had been converted into an underground laboratory.

The business operated as a medical centre without a licence under the name Hangzhou Shengbao Medical and Health Technology Co Ltd.

According to China Daily, Mr Yan faces an administrative penalty imposed by Linping district, including the confiscation of drugs and medical equipment and a fine of 3.22 million yuan,  about 15 million baht.

Ms Mi is allegedly a shareholder who controlled the illegal operation. She was responsible for marketing and expanding the customer base, including inviting people to use the illegal service.

Police said their visas had been cancelled and they would be extradited to China.