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Posted

Are there any laws in Thailand regulating euthanasia/assisted suicide?

In cases of people in the last stages of a terminal illness, is it possible to get professional help in ending your life?

I'm not in that situation myself, and I hope I never will be. I've lived here a long time, and have a family with grown children who would take care of me; but if I should ever get to the point where I was too much of a burden on them, or too much of a burden on myself, then it is an option that I would consider as a last resort.

Has anyone ever heard of it being done here?

Thanks for any information.

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Posted

No, its against the law in Thailand.

But once you can no longer pay for treatment....

Thanks for the response... I'll presume you are correct.

Your second line, "But once you can no longer pay for treatment...." applies to the USA as well.

If you have never paid into Medicare or Social Security you will be refused treatment and support even though you are native born.

In Thailand, if you are married to a government employee you will be given medical care, and even medications. Foreigners included.

Posted

If you are getting to that point perhaps you need to man up and prepare yourself for your own demise . Have a bottle of sleeping pills handy or some other way to the end. Why count on others to do your dirty work.

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Posted

n210mp, I totally agree with your last paragraph of post # 5.

Over the years I have retained info on this subject should I ever need to go down this path.

Some of the info that I have retained can be found here

http://www.amazon.com/Peaceful-Pill-Handbook-Revised-International/dp/0978878825/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210117177&sr=8-1

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/436994-death-in-thailand-by-old-age/?&pid=4181562#entry4181562

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/465346-dying-in-los/

http://www.exitinternational.net/

  • Like 2
Posted

It is an interesting thread and one that is closely related to the thoughts of many whom have run out of insurance or the means of paying high medical bills ETC,. especially after they end up with a terminal illness or even a non terminal illness that makes them unable to either take care of themselves or pay others to do so.

My friend who is in his 80s and has a mind as quick as it was 30 years ago has a plan for the control of his life if He gets a permanently debilitating illness or in fact a terminal illness.

He has lived here for many years and when He first came here thought that his income and financial assets would provide for him and his family until he pegged out

.

Of course there are many like him and due to inflation the world economic situation and the exchange rate He is now realising that the odds are against him in paying his way through a debilitating illness, terminal or otherwise.

As He is now in his mid 80s and still firing on all cylinders He is becoming increasingly aware of the shortening odds on whether He will reach his 90s.

On the basis that He would not be able to settle the enormous bills asked for treatment of terminal cases or the long term support of a debilitating illness he has decided that at a certain point in his illness he intends to take his own life.

He tells me in a candid and straightforward manner that when He cannot take care of his toilet needs and the future is well mapped out it will be the time to have the final drink with close friends and family then with the help of a suitable narcotic, bottle or two of the best Malt whisky, his favorite music say goodbye to this life in quality controlled conditions, thereby not inflicting any financial or stressful situations onto his loving family.

Even with sufficient healthcare, I share similar sentiments as your describe; however, I think the idea that he will sit and have a drink with his loved ones is overdramatic and purely cocktail hour bravado.

The reality is making such a request of family and friends is sadistic and selfish. He is going to request the people that love him most participate? Come on, lets say he instead decided to jump off a building, cut his wrists, jump overboard with weights tied on his ankles, etc...does he really expect family members would stand idly by and not intervene?

The proper way for anyone to do this is to comfort your loved ones by following through on this decision alone.

  • Like 1
Posted

A Thai neighbour told me her brother was diagnosed with HIV. This was some years back in Chiang Rai. Having had to watch another brother die, and a sister, he decided to ask for assistance of a local wat to end it all before the long drawn out process of dying he'd witnessed in his siblings 'I not want people to see me fade away'. He was given some 'medicine' and was told it would see him off within 24 hours, during which time he'd changed his mind. Too late.

If anyone wants to view a particular experience of European euthanasia, there is a YT vid hosted by the writer (not my cup of tea) Terry Pratchett who is apparently beginning to suffer the effects of Altzheimers, whereby he accompanies an aging wealthy couple to a clinic to film the death of the husband. After being given the potion by the attending nurse, he asked for a glass of water blink.pngbefore keeling over. THAT should put you off.

Legalise euthanasia? Thin edge of the wedge.

  • Like 1
Posted

There are many resources for people who are willing to take a do-it-yourself approach to euthanasia -- and ending their own lives on their own terms. One of the best and most popular is "Final Exit".

It's is a widely available book that lays out several options and strategies, including getting small prescriptions now for the meds you will need at the time and stockpiling them until you have enough to do the job. It also discusses legalities in the US, and how to keep friends and family members clear of legal problems.

I think the book also covers breathing a common, widely available gas, with instructions about where to obtain it and the necessary components, assembly, and instructions about what to do and when.

CM4me has also already given a number of links, above. And I'd suggest you do some searches on google about "euthanasia" if you are seriously interested in ending your own life with dignity when the time comes. You'll find there are several societies or groups organized to help each other and provide information and emotional support re euthansia.

One last thought: If it is illegal for anyone to help you here in Thailand, then either move to a more legally friendly jurisdiction, or do some planning in advance. That planning should involve making as sure as possible that you will still be strong enough to do what you need to do by yourself, without any help from anyone else, when the time comes. In that way, you will be protecting your friends and family from legal problems later on. Good luck.

  • Like 1
Posted

If anyone wants to view a particular experience of European euthanasia, there is a YT vid hosted by the writer (not my cup of tea) Terry Pratchett who is apparently beginning to suffer the effects of Altzheimers, whereby he accompanies an aging wealthy couple to a clinic to film the death of the husband. After being given the potion by the attending nurse, he asked for a glass of water blink.pngbefore keeling over. THAT should put you off.

Legalise euthanasia? Thin edge of the wedge.

The Terry Pratchett documentary you refer to was brilliant, brave, television. And the 'husband' you refer to, namely a British man called Peter Smedley, is to my mind a hero for allowing his quiet, dignified death at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to be filmed.

The film didn't put me off in the slightest - in Peter Smedley's place I'd be happy to die at Dignitas. But I know a lot of people have a lot of difficulty with this subject.

  • Like 1
Posted

I've lived in LOS for many years and, in all probability, I'll die here.

I want no Terri Schiavo end-of-life if something bad happens to me what with the Thai doctors sucking all the money from my bank account and then dumping me outside when there is no more so I've made a Living Will and made my TGF the one who'll decide to unplug me if I'm unconscious.

I've made it clear to her that the longer I'm kept in what should be a terminal condition the more costly the medical care and the less money left on my Last Will for her.

This is not exactly Euthanasia but it's the best I could come up with here.

You can download the Thai Govt approved and thus LOS hospitals recognized Living Will (2 forms)here :

http://en.nationalhealth.or.th/node/215

http://en.nationalhealth.or.th/node/214

Both in English and Thai.

Posted (edited)

The last thing you expats in Thailand want is legal assisted suicides!

If the law ever changed I bet there would be sudden serge in dead farang up north. a fair few who upon completing their palace in the paddy suddenly got 'terminally' sick and allegedly expressed a wish to be 'assisted' out of here..

Edited by Grindting
  • Like 2
Posted

http://en.nationalhealth.or.th/node/197

A person shall have the right to make a living will in writing to refuse the public health service which is provided merely to prolong his/her terminal stage of life or to make a living will to refuse the service as to cease the severe suffering from illness. The living will under paragraph one shall be carried out in accordance with the rules and procedure prescribed in the Ministerial Regulation. An act done by public health personnel in compliance with the living will under paragraph one shall not be held an offence and shall not be liable to any responsibility whatsoever.

Posted

I find it very frustrating that posters on here dont have the balls to contribute to a really serious and genuine concern or thread in this case, the content of the thread must be of concern to a great number of members.

They answer sometimes belligerently and antagonistically to threads that are spurious and without gravity but when they get the chance to discuss something really serious and important they fail miserably

Is it me or do posters here genuinely lack the testosterone or life experience to discuss subject matter that could give insight, information and reassurance just by the simple act of a sensible discussion.

Maybe I expect too much of the TV throng , maybe they are without substance, insensitive and shallow only happy when retorting in bitter and cynical ways to discredit some happy poster who was deluded in thinking that he could contribute in some worthwhile manner

Now if there are posters that are actually thinking up sensible and productive replies to this very serious thread I apologise and await with interest what you have to say

You know sometimes I think that TV is becoming just a low class version of Facebook

I completely agree with your posts. I am in a position where I am now working outside of Thailand, but hope to be able to live full time on retirement in a year or two. However when I did work in Thailand (2012 - 2014) I was refused medical insurance due to a blood-clot problem, so I presume that when I retire in Thailand, I will not be able to get medical insurance.

My concern also with living in Thailand is that as I get older I become more of a burden and the solution suggested by your friend is the best way. I have seen relatives and friends suffer badly for months, I have no intention of going on to long term medication or treatment that needs the house to be sold to pay for it.

I also think that this subject is personal, I understand those who say it is a sin, but our lives are our own to do with what we please, without hurting or harming others.

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

In the small town where I live the local Thai folk know what to do when an elderly relative is sent home from hospital to die.

There are always plenty of family around who don't work who do the palliative care. I've seen many old people sent home to die. It's part of everyday Thai life. I haven't seen anything too grim, or worse than what I've seen in hospitals in western countries.

I suspect that although it is illegal, some Thai families practice euthanasia. It will never be spoken about.

I horror the idea of being old and alone and dying in Thailand. If one has an adopted Thai family and is receiving pension till the end then it should not be such a huge burden. Most pensioners incomes are enough to hire a full time live-in nurse. (at least where I live). The high cost of medicine doesn't appear to me to be an issue in Thailand like it is in places like the U.S.A.

The living-will suggestion in an earlier post is an excellent idea. (Have the words "do not resuscitate" or "DNR", or "No Code", tattooed on your chest). I consider having a living-will to be more important than the legal status of euthanasia. As a previous poster wrote; living-wills are legal in Thailand.

Edited by 96tehtarp
  • Like 2
Posted

It is an interesting thread and one that is closely related to the thoughts of many whom have run out of insurance or the means of paying high medical bills ETC,. especially after they end up with a terminal illness or even a non terminal illness that makes them unable to either take care of themselves or pay others to do so.

My friend who is in his 80s and has a mind as quick as it was 30 years ago has a plan for the control of his life if He gets a permanently debilitating illness or in fact a terminal illness.

He has lived here for many years and when He first came here thought that his income and financial assets would provide for him and his family until he pegged out

.

Of course there are many like him and due to inflation the world economic situation and the exchange rate He is now realising that the odds are against him in paying his way through a debilitating illness, terminal or otherwise.

As He is now in his mid 80s and still firing on all cylinders He is becoming increasingly aware of the shortening odds on whether He will reach his 90s.

On the basis that He would not be able to settle the enormous bills asked for treatment of terminal cases or the long term support of a debilitating illness he has decided that at a certain point in his illness he intends to take his own life.

He tells me in a candid and straightforward manner that when He cannot take care of his toilet needs and the future is well mapped out it will be the time to have the final drink with close friends and family then with the help of a suitable narcotic, bottle or two of the best Malt whisky, his favorite music say goodbye to this life in quality controlled conditions, thereby not inflicting any financial or stressful situations onto his loving family.

Even with sufficient healthcare, I share similar sentiments as your describe; however, I think the idea that he will sit and have a drink with his loved ones is overdramatic and purely cocktail hour bravado.

The reality is making such a request of family and friends is sadistic and selfish. He is going to request the people that love him most participate? Come on, lets say he instead decided to jump off a building, cut his wrists, jump overboard with weights tied on his ankles, etc...does he really expect family members would stand idly by and not intervene?

The proper way for anyone to do this is to comfort your loved ones by following through on this decision alone.

You are so far "off the ball" with your perceptions and self righteous indignation that you may well need to read between the lines on my post to understand that all would have been taken care of and agreed prior to any drinks He may wish to share with the closest of his friends and family

I feel disinclined to respond other than to acknowledge that I have read your post and not ignored it but alas I cannot.

Needless to say the old chap would and is acting and planning with the best interests of his family and his own suffering and I applaud him for that.

Life or the existence of life at any cost and under the most extreme suffering is not tenable or viable for most clear thinking people especially when there are insufficient funds available.

A pity that your perception cannot give him a little credit for having a brain and the courage to take control of a situation where he would eventually have lost any control either over himself or his assets which would, conventionally in this land of smiles, soon be gobbled up by those in certain medical establishments who prescribe and diagnose not for the easing of the disease but for profit!

Posted

Its illegal for animals too,so humans have no chance

Not true It isn't illegal but you will find it hard to get a Tha Vet to do it. Hard not impossible or illegal.

Posted

Its illegal for animals too,so humans have no chance

Not true It isn't illegal but you will find it hard to get a Tha Vet to do it. Hard not impossible or illegal.

And actually not that hard to find a willing vet.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Posted (edited)

If you are getting to that point perhaps you need to man up and prepare yourself for your own demise . Have a bottle of sleeping pills handy or some other way to the end. Why count on others to do your dirty work.

"Why count on others to do your dirty work."

Or to have to be bored to death listening to some babbling old fart go on and on about it.

Razors pain you,

Rivers are damp,

Acids stain you,

And drugs cause cramp.

Guns aren't lawful,

Nooses give,

Gas smells awful.

You might as well live.”

Dorothy Parker, Enough Rope

Edited by Suradit69
Posted

Piss off a bar girl in your sixth floor condo bedroom then wander out on to the balcony for a calming smoke. Job done.

Posted

When all else fails, restrict the diet and fluid intake, little by little till at last it's only water, and then reduce even that, day by day... after 3-5 days on just a mouthful, one generally slips into a painless coma, and within a few days quietly passes on. Will need an assistant at bedside. Someone faithful. Have done this on several occassions with the needful and forlorn in outstation settings. Best to have a soporific when possible. Opium's the best.

Posted

Apropos the OP's question, has anyone investigated the availability of palliative care - hospices etc - in Thailand?

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