Living Will & Health-Care Proxy for Thailand
Ensure your medical wishes are respected with a legally sound advance directive under Thai law
PDF + DOCX
Thailand law compliant
Ready in <5 min
English / Thai
Who Needs This Document
- Expats and retirees living in Thailand who want to document their end-of-life medical preferences
- Long-stay foreigners who want to appoint a trusted person to make medical decisions on their behalf
- Anyone with a serious or chronic illness who wants to plan ahead for medical care
- Individuals who want to ensure their family is not burdened with difficult medical decisions
- Couples where one partner needs to be authorized to make health-care decisions for the other
What you'll need
What Information You Will Need
Your identification details
Full name, passport/ID number, date of birth, address in Thailand
Medical treatment preferences
Decisions on CPR, ventilator, tube feeding, dialysis, antibiotics, palliative care
Health-care proxy details
Name, ID, address, and phone number of your chosen proxy (if appointing one)
Alternate proxy details
Backup person in case your primary proxy is unavailable (optional)
Two witnesses
Full names and ID/passport numbers of two witnesses
Coverage
What This Document Covers Under Thai Law
- Compliant with Thailand's National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007), Section 12
- Follows the Ministerial Regulation on Living Wills B.E. 2553 (2010)
- Bilingual format (English-Thai) for recognition at Thai hospitals and medical facilities
- Covers refusal of life-sustaining treatments in terminal or irreversible conditions
- Includes health-care proxy appointment with clearly defined authority
- Revocable at any time while the declarant is of sound mind
Document structure
Document Structure
1
Declarant Information
Full identification of the person making the directive
2
Legal Basis
Reference to National Health Act Section 12 and applicable regulations
3
Medical Treatment Directives
Specific instructions for CPR, ventilator, nutrition, dialysis, antibiotics, palliative care
4
Conditions for Activation
When the directive takes effect (terminal illness, permanent unconsciousness)
5
Health-Care Proxy
Appointment of a trusted person to make medical decisions
6
Revocation
How and when the directive can be revoked
7
General Provisions
Governing law, severability, number of copies
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Living Will legally recognized in Thailand?
Yes. Section 12 of the National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007) specifically grants every person the right to make a living will refusing medical treatment that only prolongs the dying process. The Ministerial Regulation of 2010 provides the implementing framework.
Can a foreigner make a Living Will in Thailand?
Yes. The National Health Act does not restrict this right to Thai nationals. Any person — including expats, retirees, and long-stay foreigners — can create a legally valid Living Will in Thailand.
Do I need a lawyer to create a Living Will?
No, a lawyer is not legally required. However, the document must be signed by the declarant and two witnesses. Having a bilingual (English-Thai) document is strongly recommended to ensure Thai medical staff can understand and follow your wishes.
What is a Health-Care Proxy and do I need one?
A Health-Care Proxy is a person you appoint to make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. While not legally required alongside a Living Will in Thailand, appointing a proxy is strongly recommended — especially for foreigners — to ensure someone who understands your wishes can advocate for you.
Can I change or revoke my Living Will later?
Yes. You can revoke or amend your Living Will at any time, either orally or in writing, as long as you are of sound mind. It is recommended to destroy old copies and notify your health-care proxy and medical providers of any changes.
Will Thai hospitals accept this document?
Thai hospitals are legally required to respect a valid living will under the National Health Act. Presenting a bilingual document with proper witness signatures significantly increases compliance. It is advisable to provide a copy to your primary hospital and keep one with your proxy.
What happens if I don't have a Living Will in Thailand?
Without a Living Will, medical decisions in end-of-life situations will be made by your treating physicians in consultation with your family members, following standard Thai medical protocols. This may not align with your personal wishes.
Does this Living Will cover organ donation?
No. Organ donation in Thailand requires a separate registration, typically through the Thai Red Cross Society. This Living Will covers only decisions about life-sustaining medical treatment.
Last Updated:
2026-03-21
Jurisdiction:
Thailand
Language:
English / Thai
Disclaimer
This document is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It is designed to comply with Thailand's National Health Act Section 12. We recommend consulting with a qualified Thai medical or legal professional for complex situations.
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