Considering adoption from Thailand. Anyone got any experience?

[ripsishere]

Hi, we are a married couple, 48 and 54, one DD who is 11 and we live in Malaysia.
We are currently fluctuating between 'yes we should' and 'no, what a shocker of an idea'.
We expect to be here for another 18 months or so, and have in the past lived in Bangkok so we know our way around the country and, speak a little Thai.
We have friends who adopted children so are both aware of the time scale.
Anyone got any thoughts to push us one way or another?

[KristinaM]

You should join oasis www.adoptionoverseas.org/, they might be able to help you.

You mention that you will be in Malaysia for another 18 months. You would need to check whether that will be enough time to complete an adoption in Thailand and if not, would you have to reapply from your next country or residence or woudl your application be continued ?

What is the law is Malaysia about adoptions? Does it even allow adoption from Thailand? I believe that Muslim culture has a different concept of adoption

If you do not follow the British adoption procedures, you will need to live overseas with your newly adopted child for some years before their would be entitled to a visa to enter the UK. I think it's two years.

I suspect you will need legal advice

[KristinaM]

Basic legal information here www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/thailand-adoption.php?gclid=CP6Cx9rEprUCFSHHtAodhk8AhA

It seems that you need to use the adoption authority in Malaysia or an agency approved by the thai authorities

A lot might depend on which country you are moving to next

Another issues might be your ages, especially your husbands as I belive that applicants over 55 are discouraged.

I think Thailand only have toddlers or older children available for adoption now as the baby list is closed. Many countries have "special needs" programmes where children have minor and correctable problems, such a cleft lip or palate.

[ripsishere]

Thanks for that. We've decided against it now. We feel we are too old and, I am not sure that DD would enjoy the change from only child to one of two.

[Italiangreyhound]

ripsishere I'm happy for you if you have come to that conclusion happily as a family.

Just for your thoughts though I am 48 and just about to embark on domestic adoption.

Our dd is 8 and is very much in favour of us adopting.

My hubby is my age so of course I can see you hubby is a bit older and it may well be that you both feel too old. I can certainly understand as I feel a bit old at times. But I guess I also feel a sense of hope about this adoption journey.

Anyway, I don't want to dicourage or encourage you, just to share that some of us on this route are also quite old! At our recent prep course the ages ranged from probably about mid 30s to 50. Most of the people were in their 40s I would say.

[ripsishere]

The other issue is not knowing where we will be living in say, 18 months time. We could still be here, equally we could be on the other side of the world.