Living will / assisted dying / euthanazia in Thailand

[scorecard]

Can any member share some specific fully correct and up to dat information as to these subjects here in Thailand.

 

Absolutely NOT looking for opinions of what 'should be', looking for factual details of the current laws, etc.

 

Thanks for sharing. 

[Moonlover]

Here's a useful and quite recent article for you to read on these matters.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30365251

 

Information on living wills can be found here

 

https://isaanlawyers.com/living-will-thailand/

 

There plenty of other Thailand specific references on the internet. It saves all that typing. ????

 

 

[scorecard]

Thanks, much appreciated, I'll forward the links to the gentleman who needs this information. 

[Sheryl]

Assisted dying/euthanasia is strictly illegal here.

 

It is legal to refuse treatment and there is legislation on "living wills" (advance directives)(.  Should note though that many hospitals have their own specific forms, and while they could be held legally liable to honor an advance directive not on that form it might take a lot of negotiation. If your friend has a serious medical condition he should discuss with the hospital where he is being treated and full out their specific form. He should also get under the primary care of a palliative care specialist, as this makes a huge difference both to comfort/adequate analgesia  and to understanding of wishes re life support etc.

 

Also it is very, very important that whoever would be there to advocate for him when he is unable to  advocate for himself, fully understand and support his wishes. If he is married that would be his wife. If unmarried, he should in addition to an Advanced Directive make out a Health Care Power of Attorney for a friend or relative he trusts to advocate for him.

 

No matter what is written on an advance directive, no hospital will not withhold life support if there is any possibility that the family will object. For the very simple reason that dead people can't sure or make trouble, but living ones can.

 

 

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Assisted dying/euthanasia is strictly illegal here.

 

It is legal to refuse treatment and there is legislation on "living wills" (advance directives)(.  Should note though that many hospitals have their own specific forms, and while they could be held legally liable to honor an advance directive not on that form it might take a lot of negotiation. If your friend has a serious medical condition he should discuss with the hospital where he is being treated and full out their specific form. He should also get under the primary care of a palliative care specialist, as this makes a huge difference both to comfort/adequate analgesia  and to understanding of wishes re life support etc.

 

Also it is very, very important that whoever would be there to advocate for him when he is unable to  advocate for himself, fully understand and support his wishes. If he is married that would be his wife. If unmarried, he should in addition to an Advanced Directive make out a Health Care Power of Attorney for a friend or relative he trusts to advocate for him.

 

No matter what is written on an advance directive, no hospital will withhold life support if there is any possibility that the family will object. For the very simple reason that dead people can't sure or make trouble, but living ones can.

 

 

Thank you Dr. Sheryl.

[ThaiLawOnline]

On 6/18/2022 at 8:16 PM, Moonlover said:

 

Information on living wills can be found here

 

https://isaanlawyers.com/living-will-thailand/

 

 

 

 

Thanks. I wrote this text at above after an extensive search on the subject. I am now working at ThaiLawOnline.com

 

There was nothing in the law about Living Wills before the Health Act. Then, regulation took a long time. I searched in many countries to make the best and simple document. Available for anyone that write to ThaiLawOnline for about 2,000 about. Including instructions.

[lopburi3]

On 3/23/2023 at 3:27 AM, ThaiLawOnline said:

ThaiLawOnline for about 2,000 about.

Suspect you mean 2,000 baht?  ????

[ThaiLawOnline]

On 3/24/2023 at 8:30 AM, lopburi3 said:

Suspect you mean 2,000 baht?  ????

Yes. Long time no see Lopburi3…. I was not on forum for years,

 

Sebastien.

Edited March 25, 2023 by ThaiLawOnline
Say hello ro Lopburi 3.

[lopburi3]

9 hours ago, ThaiLawOnline said:

Yes. Long time no see Lopburi3…. I was not on forum for years,

 

Sebastien.

Now you starting to write like me - think one word - type another.  ????

[JimmyJ]

On 6/19/2022 at 12:18 PM, Sheryl said:

Assisted dying/euthanasia is strictly illegal here.

 

It is legal to refuse treatment and there is legislation on "living wills" (advance directives)(.  Should note though that many hospitals have their own specific forms, and while they could be held legally liable to honor an advance directive not on that form it might take a lot of negotiation. If your friend has a serious medical condition he should discuss with the hospital where he is being treated and full out their specific form. He should also get under the primary care of a palliative care specialist, as this makes a huge difference both to comfort/adequate analgesia  and to understanding of wishes re life support etc.

 

Also it is very, very important that whoever would be there to advocate for him when he is unable to  advocate for himself, fully understand and support his wishes. If he is married that would be his wife. If unmarried, he should in addition to an Advanced Directive make out a Health Care Power of Attorney for a friend or relative he trusts to advocate for him.

 

No matter what is written on an advance directive, no hospital will not withhold life support if there is any possibility that the family will object. For the very simple reason that dead people can't sure or make trouble, but living ones can.

 

 

"No matter what is written on an advance directive, no hospital will not withhold life support if there is any possibility that the family will object."

 

I'm confused by the double negative of that sentence.

 

Hospitals will continue life support

despite patient's directive if they think family will object to them discontinuing life support?

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

"No matter what is written on an advance directive, no hospital will not withhold life support if there is any possibility that the family will object."

 

I'm confused by the double negative of that sentence.

 

Hospitals will continue life support

despite patient's directive if they think family will object to them discontinuing life support?

 

Yes, exactly.

 

And not just in Thailand.

 

I have seen it in Western countries as well.

 

Dead people do not sue.

Living people do.

A hospital will be very, very reluctant to go against a family's clearly stated wishes.

[PPMMUU]

The concept of a living will is well established among healthcare providers in Thailand. However, assisted dying and euthanasia are not legally recognized or practiced in the country. Many healthcare providers even consider these practices immoral. Recently, some political parties have been using this issue as a campaign platform, which raises the possibility that these practices may become legal in the future.

 

With a living will, you have the option to be as detailed as you want regarding your healthcare preferences. You can choose whether or not you want CPR, endotracheal intubation, pain management with morphine, and where you would like to pass away - either in the hospital or at home. This practice is recognized nationwide in Thailand, although there may be some areas where it is not as well organized. However, such cases are rare.

In Thailand, the opinions of relatives are often taken into account when making healthcare decisions for a patient. It is therefore advisable to discuss your healthcare preferences with your family or representative beforehand, in order to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. There have been instances where healthcare providers have had a hard time dealing with situations where the patient had already expressed their preference to not receive CPR, but their relatives were not aware of it. This is due to cultural factors, where the voices of relatives are often given significant weight in decision-making.

Withholding life support is a common practice in Thailand and is generally accepted nationwide without issue. However, withdrawing life support can be much more difficult but is not impossible. Some may see withdrawing life support as a form of passive euthanasia, but healthcare professionals in Thailand consider there to be significant differences between the two. If you would like to explore this topic in greater detail, I would be happy to discuss it further with you.

Edited March 26, 2023 by PPMMUU