17 March 1970

‘Baby Bomb’ sparks family planning rethink

After years of contentious debate over contraception and family planning, the kingdom’s traditionally conservative leaders relented to calls for a rethink.

Doctors, scientists, social workers and the media were becoming increasingly concerned about the rising birth rate across the country and its effects on people’s living standards. Soaring birth rates, particularly in the swelling capital, meant Bangkok faced a rising demand for food, clothing, housing, education and jobs. The Bangkok Post described the phenomenon as a ‘baby bomb’.

Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn shifted his stance, openly supporting education on family planning and birth control, marking a victory for advocates in their long campaign to win state approval. Some, however, still wanted the state to scrap laws criminalising abortion—something the military government was not ready to consider.

17 March 1970

‘Baby Bomb’ sparks family planning rethink

After years of contentious debate over contraception and family planning, the kingdom’s traditionally conservative leaders relented to calls for a rethink.

Doctors, scientists, social workers and the media were becoming increasingly concerned about the rising birth rate across the country and its effects on people’s living standards. Soaring birth rates, particularly in the swelling capital, meant Bangkok faced a rising demand for food, clothing, housing, education and jobs. The Bangkok Post described the phenomenon as a ‘baby bomb’.

Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn shifted his stance, openly supporting education on family planning and birth control, marking a victory for advocates in their long campaign to win state approval. Some, however, still wanted the state to scrap laws criminalising abortion—something the military government was not ready to consider.