An Australian couple was reported to have abandoned a baby with his surrogate mother in Thailand because the baby had Down syndrome - but accepted the boy's healthy twin sister.

According to media reports in August, the 21-year-old surrogate mother from the southeast of Bangkok allegedly said she had been paid $14,900 - enough to educate her own two children and pay back debts.

But she was now reportedly left with the baby boy, known as Gammy, who allegedly also suffers from a life-threatening heart condition, and cannot afford to pay for the medical treatment he requires.