Choice at life's endListen to this articleAs 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. This time, the People's Party proposes a healthcare policy to explore more options for a dignified death beyond traditional palliative care. 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. At the heart of the proposal is the question of whether one should have autonomy over one's life and death. If the ultimate goal of medicine is to minimise suffering, we must ask whether all available means should be considered -- including the patient's right to choose the timing of their own departure.

Source: Bangkok Post January 20, 2026 00:32 UTC