Tamaang Foundation Responds to Aunt Net After She Advised a Pregnant Woman Whose Partner Wasn't Ready to Terminate the Pregnancy
The Tamaang Foundation criticized radio host Aunt Net's stance against abortion, countering that Thailand's reformed abortion laws support women's right to choose and that most people know someone who has had an abortion. The foundation arg
A pregnant woman called in to Aunt Net's radio show "Don't Blame Me for Teaching" asking for advice about an unplanned pregnancy. While the woman wasn't opposed to having the child, her male partner said he wasn't ready to become a father, so they agreed together that she would have an abortion despite her personal reservations.
Aunt Net responded by saying she couldn't understand the concept of "not being ready." She argued that if you're truly not prepared to bring a human life into the world, you must practice rigorous contraception. If contraception fails and pregnancy occurs, she said, the question of "readiness" becomes irrelevant—what matters is accepting responsibility. She emphasized that a man refusing to take responsibility shouldn't be allowed to burden the woman with his lack of accountability. She concluded by saying that no matter how poor or difficult one's circumstances, there's always a way forward, and that at minimum, every mother can protect and care for her child.
The Tamaang Foundation, an organization that provides counseling on safe and legal abortion services, responded with a detailed counter-argument. They noted that Thailand reformed its abortion laws in 2021, and abortion is now legal and supported by government funding to ensure women with unplanned pregnancies can access free services quickly. The foundation emphasized their understanding of how difficult unplanned pregnancy can be, especially for people lacking resources.
The foundation cited statistics showing that one in three pregnant women choose to terminate their pregnancy, meaning most people likely know someone who has had an abortion—whether a friend, partner, parent, or relative. They urged people not to damage the trust of those who share their abortion experiences by judging them.
They argued that people who have abortions are not cruel or motivated by a desire to destroy life. Many delay their decision while searching for "other options" that ultimately prove impossible. Some face domestic abuse, job loss, educational obligations, spousal death, fetal abnormalities, or homelessness after becoming pregnant. The foundation noted that research shows abortion not only prevents children from being born into unpreparedness but also helps women escape generational poverty and violent relationships while improving their futures.
The foundation countered the "not ready" argument, stating that most unplanned pregnancies occur despite contraception use, and all contraception methods carry a failure risk. Women with unplanned pregnancies aren't irresponsible or thoughtless—they're making a difficult but responsible decision during their most constrained circumstances. The foundation concluded by noting that every person who has chosen abortion they've encountered has been capable, worthy of love, and with a bright future, with many going on to complete education, find meaningful work, build healthy relationships, and raise their existing children well despite limited resources.
