Babies who were born on New Year's day, lie on a bed inside the maternity ward of the Jose Reyes Memorial hospital in Manila January 1, 2014. At least three babies were born on New Year's day at the Jose Reyes Memorial hospital, according to hospital offi
In Photo: Babies who were born on New Year's day, lie on a bed inside the maternity ward of the Jose Reyes Memorial hospital in Manila January 1, 2014. At least three babies were born on New Year's day at the Jose Reyes Memorial hospital, according to hospital officials. Reuters

Thailand continues to make headlines due to a Japanese man's surrogacy scandal. A 24-year-old, Mitsutoki Shigeta, is a father of 15 surrogated babies. Nine babies were found in his apartment and the police became suspicious of his motives and this immediately led to a human trafficking probe.

Shigeta, as a multimillionaire, left the country immediately but sent his DNA samples for testing. The DNA tests revealed that he was the father of the children. The babies were taken away and are at the care of the authorities in Thailand.

The Japanese national has stated that his motives were clean and he only wanted to extend his family and because he wants a big one. He used his own sperm and with 11 surrogate mothers in Thailand he is now a father of 15 children.

The authorities said that if he has no criminal record and no bad ulterior motives he will be able to take the babies back to Japan. Korkiat Wongworachart, Thailand's assistant national police chief said that Shigeta did not have any criminal record and neither has he gone against the law. He can take the children but has to have a court order to gain sole custody of them.

The ABC reported that three of the babies have already been taken to Cambodia, he invested $70 million there in a property business. Wongworachart revealed that the man has a huge business there and he has hired people to take care of the children. The police chief is of the opinion that it is not a case of human trafficking as he had used his own sperm and spent a lot of money for the babies. "So it's unlikely", he explains. Even the surrogate mothers was thoroughly interviewed on the issue.

Six of the surrogate mothers involved were interviewed by police. One of them who wishes to remain anonymous stated that she is unaware of the man's intentions as she had never seen him but states that she is concerned about the baby she gave birth to. "I'd be happy to take the baby back", she said. "I'm very shocked".

It is reported that the man will gain custody of his other children soon.

Paid surrogacy is illegal in Thailand. The military rulers have stated that they would introduce a new law that would punish the guilty with a 10 year imprisonment.