Choice at life’s end

As political parties showcase a raft of mainly economic policies designed to boost Thailand's competitiveness ahead of the February general election, one relatively minor initiative stands out for its bold moral impetus.

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This time, the People's Party proposes a healthcare policy to explore more options for a dignified death beyond traditional palliative care.

Indeed, Thailand's healthcare policies have already been hailed as among the most progressive in Southeast Asia, most notably Section 12 of the 2007 National Health Act, which grants individuals the legal right to create a living will.

This written directive allows citizens to refuse life-prolonging treatments when terminally ill or in a critical, irreversible condition, ensuring they can make a conscientious choice to die with dignity and prevent unnecessary suffering.

As a result, palliative care has become more widely available and socially acceptable, integrated into both major hospitals and home-care services.