What Is a Living Will? The Right to Choose a Dignified End of Life Everyone Should Know

Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural parts of life. However, when we can no longer communicate or make decisions ourselves, decisions about end-of-life treatment often become a heavy burden on our families. Today, the Thairath Online lifestyle news team will help everyone understand this better.The “Living Will”or Living Will is a legal right that allows us to design our end-of-life journey with dignity.

What is a Living Will?

A Living Will, or a document expressing the intent to refuse health services aimed solely at prolonging life at the end stage (Living Will), is a legal document under Section 12 of the National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007). It allows any individual, while still mentally competent, to express in advance their wish not to have doctors use medical innovations or devices to unnecessarily "prolong life" in cases of incurable severe illness or terminal condition.to "prolong life"removed unnecessarily.

Differences between“Living Will”and“Euthanasia”

Many people still confuse making a Living Will with hastening death, similar to voluntary suicide or euthanasia. In reality, these two are clearly different under the law and medical principles.

Who can make a Living Will?

• Anyone of legal age (18–20 years or as legally defined).
• Those with full mental capacity who can communicate and understand their own wishes.
• Chronic patients or those planning ahead (Advance Care Planning).

What should be included in the declaration?

• Personal information: Full name, ID number, and contact details.
• Conditions for refusal of treatment: For example, refusal of CPR, mechanical ventilation, cardiac stimulants, or life support devices in brain death.
• Palliative care preferences: Requests for pain relief medication, anxiolytics, or comfort care.
• Preferred place for end-of-life: Such as desire to die at home or be cared for in a medical facility.
• Decision representative and intent: Name of authorized decision-maker, signature of the Living Will owner, and signatures of at least two witnesses.

Steps to create a Living Will

1. Learn and understand: Understand the details of the Living Will and discuss with family or your primary doctor.
2. Draft the declaration: You can write it yourself, type it, or use a standard form from the National Health Commission Office.
3. Sign with witnesses: Sign alongside at least two witnesses (preferably including a doctor or caregiver who knows your wishes).
4. Store and inform relevant parties: Provide copies to family, decision representatives, and your regular hospital to record it in your electronic health record (EHR).

Making a Living Will is not about cursing oneself or giving up to illness; it is careful life planning that restores human dignity, allowing us to pass peacefully and naturally without leaving the heavy burden of decisions to our loved ones.

References: National Health Commission Office, Thai Palliative Care Society.

Related news:

• Planning life for a good death because death is not far from us (Video).
• Light-hearted notebook: What is a Living Will and why is it important for retirees?