Unexpected losses have led many to focus on planning their final life stage. One option is to create a " Living Will " to express treatment preferences in advance if one becomes unable to communicate or make decisions personally.
Data from the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) show that the number of people expressing their intention to make a Living Will online has increased from about 8,000 to nearly 100,000, reflecting greater acceptance among Thais of preparing for a peaceful departure.
A Living Will is a document recording one's wishes regarding end-of-life treatment, specifying refusal of medical services that only prolong the dying process without improving condition or restoring normal life.
This expression of intent is a right under the National Health Act of 2007, Chapter 1 on Health Rights and Duties, Section 12, which states that“A person has the right to make a written declaration refusing health services aimed only at prolonging death at the end of life or to end suffering from illness.”The creation of anelectronic(e-Living Will) is permitted under the Electronic Transactions Act of 2019."
a Living Will does not mean rejecting all treatment or hastening death. If an accident or severe illness occurs but doctors believe recovery or return to normal life is possible, appropriate care will still be provided.
The Living Will guides care when the patient is terminal and some treatments only prolong death. The patient can receive palliative care to ease pain and discomfort and to pass away naturally and peacefully.
When a patient cannot communicate, families often decide on continuing medical care. A Living Will helps relatives and medical teams understand the patient's wishes clearly, reducing emotional burdens, family conflicts, and ineffective end-of-life treatments. Even younger or healthy individuals can prepare this document since serious illness or accidents may happen unexpectedly.
Citizens can easily make a Living Will online electronically via the e-Living Will system by following these steps:
1. Visit thee-livingwillwebsite of the National Health Commission Office.
2. Register for an account by verifying your identity through the ThaiD app or by entering your 13-digit national ID number as instructed.
3. Fill in the registration details. After successful account creation, a confirmation email will be sent.
4. Return to the main page and log in to the system again.
5. Complete the information and specify your end-of-life care preferences fully, then review and confirm your declaration.
6. Upon completion, the document is stored in the system and can be viewed, printed, forwarded to decision-makers, edited, or canceled by yourself.
Note: Registered healthcare facilities and network agencies can search for this document to incorporate the patient's wishes into treatment planning.
After creating your Living Will, you should inform family members, caregivers, or appointed decision-makers to ensure mutual understanding. It's advisable to periodically review the document, as you can modify or cancel it if you change your mind or your health status changes.
Additionally, a Living Will only records treatment wishes and is not a will for dividing assets or inheritance, which is a separate legal document governed by different laws. More details and sample documents are available at theNational Health Commission Office.