All I want to do is adopt our niece! She is 9, the father left them almost 2 years ago and went back to Burma. Our sister in law struggles to work and take care of her child and parents (We send money to help them of course). She is willing to let us adopt her, she knows that her chances of success would be so much greater here in Hawaii!
Between the Thai & US governments this is all but impossible. I spoke with a Thai/American lawyer in Bangkok and he said private adoptions are not allowed in Thailand unless both parents are Thai citizens. My wife and I are both US citizens. He said we could still adopt but we would not be allowed to choose the child (as in a private adoption). Furthermore the US government will only allow us to adopt someone who meets the "orphan rule". Since her mother is alive she will not qualify.
I am heartbroken... All I want to do is adopt my wonderful little niece! I mean I am a law abiding US citizen in good standing with my community and cannot understand why this should be impossible. The Declaration of Independence says I have the right to "Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness". Why should any government tell me who I can and cannot adopt? I make plenty of money, have a spotless criminal record and can provide more than enough for this child!
She lives on the Burmese border in Mae Sae and every day I read about the yaba smugglers shooting it out with police and killing locals they come across! I want her out of there!
sorry for the rant... but I am absolutely heartbroken....