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Medical Malpractice in Thailand

Medical Malpractice is an act or omission by a medical practitioner that causes injury or death to a patient. Malpractice lawsuits have become an increasing source of litigation for physicians in Thailand.

Compensation in medical negligence claims is based on quantifiable losses. With the right Thailand lawyer, you can maximize your chances of being awarded more than what is normally offered.

Compensation

A patient who believes they are a victim of medical malpractice can file a civil lawsuit. Whether you have been injured by birth injury malpractice, negligence in nursing or dentistry malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. The law is clear that health care providers must provide the standard of care to their patients at all times and signing a consent form does not waive any right to sue.

Thailand’s court system tends to limit general damages in medical malpractice claims to quantifiable losses, such as loss of earnings currently incurred and those expected to be lost in the future. Compensation for pain and suffering is a little harder to get.

The ViZe Counselor team of Thailand medical negligence lawyers can help you file a medical malpractice claim and ensure that the appropriate amount of compensation is awarded. We will work hard to get you the best possible outcome for your case. We also offer a free consultation service to discuss your claim and help you decide what course of action to take.

Statute of Limitations

While medical malpractice is rare, when it does occur, the victim or their family can file a lawsuit. The result of a malpractice claim can be compensation, cancelation of hospital bills, new treatment opportunities, and punishment of the wrong party.

Malpractice is the act or omission of a healthcare practitioner that falls below the standard of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to a patient. This can include unskilled, inadequate, or neglectful treatment as well as wrongful diagnosis and failure to warn patients of known health risks.

Society wants medical professionals to be motivated to engage in best practices, occasionally taking calculated and informed risks with their patients’ welfare as the paramount concern. At the same time, societies do not want high malpractice insurance rates and defensive medicine to stifle medical innovation and access to quality care. Fortunately, there are strategies for developing successful malpractice policies. These typically involve establishing a national database for malpractice claims, and a no-fault provision in the country’s health insurance.

Best Practice

Many countries struggle to balance the need to provide quality care and the transactions costs associated with malpractice claims. In order to limit these costs, policy makers seek strategies that will encourage good practice and reduce the number of medical malpractice lawsuits.

One such strategy is to establish a national database for malpractice claims, which would allow better analysis of trends in malpractice claim incidence and compensation. This would help inform current malpractice policy debates and facilitate the development of successful initiatives.

Medical negligence claims are often complicated and require expert testimony. A lawyer with expertise in both medical and legal issues is essential to ensure the success of your case. SIAM CENTER LAW GROUP is a Thailand law firm that can provide you with the ideal lawyer to represent your case in a civil law medical malpractice trial. A professional and perfect Thailand lawyer can increase the chances of a positive outcome significantly. This is especially true if your medical negligence claim involves a foreign physician.

Complaints

With Thailand’s growing reputation as a medical tourism hub, more patients have been coming to the country for surgeries and treatments. While the majority of these patients leave satisfied with their procedures and results, some do not and seek compensation.

The 2008 Consumer Case Procedures Act makes it possible for patients to file claims directly against doctors. This allows claimants to file their complaints verbally or in writing, and it also means that they are exempt from paying court fees for their case.

However, it has been reported that malpractice claims are not random and there is a correlation between certain socio-demographic variables and the probability of receiving malpractice complaints. According to a study involving 1684 doctors, male doctors from surgical specialties who perform a greater number of on-call shifts, those who work in regional or county hospitals and those whose life partner is a doctor are more likely to receive malpractice complaints.

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Dispute Resolution in Thailand

Dispute Resolution in Thailand includes the use of Arbitration. Arbitration is less formal than court proceedings and hearing dates are set based on the availability of both parties and the arbitrator.

Compulsory mediation is available for family and labour disputes. The chief trial judge can also facilitate a settlement during a case.

Arbitration

Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution process that allows parties to settle their differences in a private setting. This allows them to keep information, evidences, statements and arguments confidential, which is especially important for renowned public figures or businesses that do not wish to damage their reputation. It also allows them to choose a neutral third party to decide the outcome of their case, as well as choosing a timeframe that suits them. Moreover, an arbitration award is enforceable in countries that have signed the New York Convention, and it can be enforced against both individuals and businesses.

Thailand’s law on arbitration has seen many amendments in recent years, including the introduction of a special “emergency arbitration” and more streamlined processes to allow foreigners to serve as both arbitrators and counsel. However, a complex permit system still disincentives foreigners from taking up appointments in these proceedings. Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Ltd. has a team of Harvard, Oxford and Sorbonne-trained lawyers that can assist clients with their international arbitration cases involving Thailand.

Conciliation

The most common form of alternative dispute resolution in Thailand is conciliation. Like mediation, a conciliation process allows for an impartial third party to oversee and facilitate communications that will hopefully lead to an agreement to settle the matter in question. Conciliation is generally less formal than arbitration and is non-binding unless and until the parties agree to a binding settlement agreement.

Litigation is a traditional method of resolving disputes in Thailand, but this can be costly, time-consuming, and risky from the perspective of the parties involved (with the exception of specialised courts such as Bankruptcy Court or Intellectual Property and International Trade Court). A judge in a regular court case will often inquire whether mediation or conciliation could help to resolve the matter. If this is agreed, then the dispute will be referred to that process prior to trial. In addition, the court may impose compulsory mediation for certain types of cases.

Mediation

While there are already existing alternative dispute resolution options in Thailand, these can be quite costly and time-consuming. Moreover, they may not provide a “win-win” solution. Therefore, lawmakers have been working to encourage the use of mediation in resolving disputes.

A recent amendment to the Civil Procedure Code made compulsory mediation a requirement in certain types of cases, including family and employment disputes. Additionally, the Office of the Judiciary has established the Thai Mediation Center to promote mediation as well as develop its practitioners.

However, court-annexed mediation has its limitations and can be inefficient for parties that wish to obtain a commercial settlement. In addition, court-appointed mediators often lack the necessary business knowledge to facilitate a successful negotiation. The emergence of independent mediation centers in the country could potentially solve this problem. In fact, it is a good idea to conduct a mediation before initiating litigation in order to save both time and costs. The process is also more streamlined and less stressful for the disputing parties.

Trial

As a general rule, Thai civil cases are not taken through to trial and as such, legal costs can be lower than in the West. However, criminal matters often do end up at court and therefore it is a good idea to have an experienced local lawyer on your side from the very beginning. A capable and seasoned attorney will be able to prevent surprises throughout the process and work the system to their client’s advantage.

If a case does reach trial, it can be expected to take up to a year or more to complete. Depending on the complexity of the case, witnesses can be called for days at a time.

During the trial, the judges will examine all of the evidence and then decide on a verdict. If the verdict is guilty, then the judge will determine the sentence. If the verdict is not guilty, then a decision on appeal will be made.

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Trade Disputes in Thailand

In the event of a dispute, conciliation can be sought before or during the trial at the discretion of the judge. In addition, there are several out-of-court mediation services available.

Thailand’s Intellectual Property and International Trade Court is a vital institution that fosters innovation, protects creators, and facilitates international trade partnerships.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a highly efficient process that can provide a quicker resolution than litigating in court. It also provides for a private and confidential settlement of disputes.

When a case is presented to a Thai court with an arbitration clause that appears to be legally enforceable, the court will typically conduct an inquiry hearing to determine its enforceability in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of the 2002 Arbitration Act. In doing so, the court will confirm that an arbitration clause can be considered separate from and independent of the primary contract.

The court will also confirm that an arbitration proceeding is confidential. Additionally, the courts will streamline its procedures for foreign arbitrators and counsel to obtain work permits to participate in arbitration proceedings. This will help to address a previous issue that discouraged foreign arbitrators from accepting appointments in Thailand due to the complex permit requirements.

Courts

There are ten labor courts in Thailand, including nine regional appeals courts and the central court in Bangkok. Each court has a panel of judges comprising one career judge and another from employer or employee federations. The courts resolve cases within four or six months from the filing of complaints. The courts also hold pretrial conferences with the parties to shorten and hasten proceedings.

If the parties agree to mediation, they can designate their own mediator or make use of the services offered by the Thai Mediation Center. If both parties are satisfied with the settlement reached at the mediation session, the dispute case can be withdrawn from the court’s docket.

Arbitration is a popular alternative to litigation in Thailand. The country has a comprehensive arbitration law based on UNCITRAL’s Model Law with additional Thai specific provisions. A party may opt for arbitration either before or after a dispute arises, and can choose the rules and institute as well as the number of arbitrators to serve.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

On average, out-of-court arbitration proceedings take at least a year to resolve. Mediation can be a quicker and more cost-effective process.

A professional mediator works with disputants to explore their interests in the dispute and helps them hammer out a solution that satisfies both sides. The process is confidential, voluntary, and non-binding.

If parties choose a two-arbitrator tribunal, the arbitrators will be selected from a list of three potential arbitrators. The parties must remove the names of those they do not prefer and appoint their preferred arbitrator within 15 days.

In late 2008, the Philippines submitted a complaint against Thailand for allegedly imposing unfair tariffs on imported cigarettes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) established a panel to review the matter. On 22 February 2011, the panel issued its Panel Report and by 17 June, the Appellate Body issued its Report, which upheld the majority of the panel’s findings.

Intellectual Property and International Trade Court

Thailand recognizes the importance of intellectual property rights and fair international trade practices. It has established a specialized court to protect such rights and promote an environment conducive to business.

Counterfeiting is a widespread problem in Thailand and affects many different industries. It causes significant economic losses for legitimate trademark owners and can pose health risks to consumers.

In 2019, the government launched a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights based on UNGPs to prevent adverse impacts of business operations on human rights. However, consistent and predictable enforcement of government regulations remains problematic. Gratuitous payments to civil servants responsible for regulatory oversight remain common despite stringent gift bans at some agencies.

Under the new Rules of the IP&IT Court, if parties agree that documents submitted to the Court do not require Thai translation and such translation would be costly or difficult, the Court may exercise discretion to permit submission without translation. This is a welcome change.

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Labor Disputes in Thailand

Labor disputes can arise for a variety of reasons. The law in Thailand provides a number of mechanisms to resolve these disputes.

These mechanisms include conciliation, arbitration and litigation. Analytics can provide advice and representation in these proceedings. We work closely with local lawyers to represent both foreign and Thai parties.

Disputes between Employers and Employees

Labor disputes can disrupt workplace morale and decrease productivity. They can also lead to loss of revenue and business failure. To prevent them, modern labor policies afford employers and employees several avenues for dispute resolution.

In the Thai labor law a worker can sue an employer for unfair or wrongful dismissal. He can file a complaint to the Labor Court within thirty days after the date of his dismissal. The court may order the employer to pay him severance pay or compensation for his loss of salary and work opportunities due to the unfair or wrongful termination.

Labor disputes between employees and employers are common in Thailand. Many of these issues are related to poorly defined employment contracts. Employees should be able to clearly understand their rights and obligations as stipulated in the Thai labor law, which covers topics such as working hours, holidays, sick leave, maternity leave and overtime. Additionally, workers should be able to easily obtain information about their employment conditions from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

Disputes between Employers and Suppliers

As Thailand moves from agriculture towards industrial production and service industries, the labour system is evolving into a more formalised structure with improved workplace health and safety standards. This is in part driven by greater openness to foreign influence and civil society participation in policy making.

Disputes between employers and suppliers can arise over terms and conditions of employment as well as supply chain issues. These are particularly complex when involving international companies with elements of foreign employment law and local cultural considerations that must be mastered.

Workers can bring labor disputes to the Central Labor Court under the Act on the Establishment and Procedure of the Labor Court. The court hears all cases and appeals on decisions by the Labor Relations Committee or by the Minister concerning labor matters. Its judgments can be appealed to the Supreme Court. However, the process can be lengthy and may take 18 months or more to reach a decision.

Disputes between Employers and Customers

Disputes between employers and customers can arise in numerous ways and often involve complex issues that are cross-border in nature. Such issues may include disputes on the delivery of products or services, payment terms, pricing, severance pay and termination clauses.

Employers in Thailand must abide by international standards and a range of local labour law provisions when it comes to workplace relations with their employees. The complexities increase when the employees are non-Thai nationals with elements of foreign employment laws in play.

Typically, an employee who feels unfairly treated by the employer will first raise the issue with department of labour protection and welfare officials, who act as mediators and have the power to order the company to rectify the situation. Alternatively, the employee may also bring the matter before the Labor Court (a specialised court with jurisdiction over cases and issues surrounding employment) directly.

Disputes between Employers and Contractors

As with any workplace, there will be times when one or more employees feel unfairly treated. This can often be the result of a wide variety of factors that go beyond what is explicitly stipulated in a company’s policies or labor laws. These disputes may require an outside mediator to help the parties reach a compromise.

If a solution is not found, the matter will then be elevated to a labor court for trial. The law requires employers to offer a written employment contract which lays out working conditions, wage rates, maximum number of work days and hours, vacation and sick leave entitlements and worker securities and privileges. Employees who are unfairly terminated can seek substantial statutory compensation from their employer (a legal maximum is not set).

Understanding Thai labor and employment laws is vital for foreign companies doing business in the country. The laws are complex and a full grasp is necessary to ensure that operations are conducted with compliance.

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Courts Handle Civil and Criminal Cases in Thailand

Representatives of NGOs and legal entities reported that police and security officers sometimes torture suspects to obtain confessions. Human rights groups also reported that government officials filed frivolous lese majeste and sedition charges against protest leaders and journalists.

Litigation in Thailand is typically a lengthy and time-consuming process. To address this issue, the Law on the Timeframe for Judicial Proceedings was enacted in October 2022 and came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Courts

In Thailand, judges and not juries try cases. Courts have jurisdiction to adjudicate all civil and criminal matters based on law. Judges are independent in adjudicating cases and may use their discretion to determine guilt or innocence, as well as to decide on the punishment for a defendant.

The Courts of First Instance consist of general courts,(2) juvenile and family courts and specialized courts.(3) The Supreme (Dika) Court has the final authority over all appeals against judgments of the Courts of First Instance and specialized courts.

The Supreme Court’s judgments become precedents for the lower courts to follow. Its role is to ensure that all laws are in accordance with the Constitution and public interest. It also acts as the protector of the rights and liberties of the people and the maintainer of a democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State. In interpreting the Constitution, the Court has been creative in mobilising constitutional interpretation techniques such as originalism and legal history.

Jurisdiction

There are three levels of courts in Thailand: the Courts of First Instance, Appeals Court and Supreme Court. Parties who are unhappy with a decision at the lower level can appeal to the higher court.

Court proceedings in Thailand are conducted in the Thai language and pleadings must be submitted in that language. Testimony and documentary evidence must also be translated into Thai before they can be presented in court.

The Appeals Court handles cases decided by the lower courts, such as the District and Provincial Courts. In addition, the Appeals Court has jurisdiction over all cases decided by the First Instance and Regional Appeal Courts located in Bangkok and the Specialized Appeal Court for a Case.

The Constitutional Court has garnered an ambivalent international reputation for its de facto dissolution of opposition political parties and cancelling of general elections in the name of protecting democracy. More recently, it has been tasked with validating organic acts (rules of near-constitutional value placed above legislation in the hierarchy of norms) by the junta.

Filing a Case

The legal process in Thailand begins with a private individual or company submitting a complaint to the police or directly to the court. If the complaint is criminal, the court will conduct a preliminary “investigative” hearing to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case for a full trial.

The central and nine regional courts of appeal review the judgments of the First Instance and Specialized Courts, respectively, to reaffirm, dismiss, or reverse those decisions. The Supreme Court, located in Bangkok, hears appeals of cases that are not within the jurisdiction of the other two courts, or those involving a matter of national importance.

As a general rule, criminal defamation cases are filed by companies who allege that a public figure has slandered or libelled them. Defamation is punishable by imprisonment and large fines, as it violates lese majeste laws. Moreover, it can lead to civil damages claims which involve civil litigation procedures.

Trial

The Judge presiding over the trial makes all determinations of guilt or innocence, and also determines punishment. Unlike most countries in the world where criminal trials have a jury, Thai trials are conducted without one.

The court in a district where an offence is committed, alleged, or believed to have been committed, or where an accused resides or is arrested, has jurisdiction over the case. In addition, the Central Bankruptcy Court, the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, the Central Taxation Court, and the Central Labor Court are centralized courts with national jurisdiction.

In 2019 the criminal court dismissed a four-year-old lese majeste case against Patnaree Chankit, mother of political activist Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat, after finding her one-word reply to a question in a Facebook chat critical of the monarchy was not an offense. Nonetheless, many rights activists continue to face charges related to their demonstrations. Security forces have been reported visiting or surveilling the homes of protest leaders and harassing them in other ways.

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Child Legitimation in Thailand

Child Legitimation is an important process in Thailand that reflects cultural values and legal considerations. It has far-reaching implications for families and society.

In order for a father to gain custody of his child in Thailand, he must first have the child and mother legitimated. This can be done by either a voluntary declaration or a court judgment.

Fathers Have Equal Rights and Responsibilities Over Their Children

In Thailand, fathers have equal rights and responsibilities over their children. This is reflected in the Thai Civil and Commercial Code, Book V: Family, Title II: Parent and Child. However, this does not mean that a father’s name on a child’s birth certificate automatically grants him parental rights.

In order for a father to gain custody, he must complete the process of child legitimation. This is a legal process that involves the mother’s consent and a court’s judgement.

The process is important to the Thai culture as it helps preserve family honor and social standing. It also promotes a strong and cohesive family unit. For foreigners, it can have a significant impact on their immigration status and visa options. For this reason, it is important to have an experienced lawyer assist in the process. They can help you navigate the complexities of child legitimation in Thailand and ensure that your rights are protected. This includes ensuring that your child is registered as your legitimate child at the district office (amphur).

Children Have the Right to Use the Father’s Name

The father of a child in Thailand has the same rights and responsibilities as the mother. However, a father can only exercise these parental powers and custody rights after his filiation with the child is recognised through the process of registration of legitimation or through marriage.

The process of legitimization is a significant legal and social matter in Thailand. It reflects the country’s cultural values and has far-reaching implications for families.

For example, children who have been legally recognised as the father’s are entitled to inherit, use their father’s surname and obtain citizenship or nationality in his father’s country. Children are also bound to be cared for by their parents throughout their minority. This includes providing them with food, shelter and education. Child custody is a complex issue for both married and unmarried couples. It can be disputed over issues such as a separation, divorce or death of the parent. The issue is decided by a judge in court.

Fathers Have Custody Rights

Child legitimation grants legal rights and responsibilities to fathers in Thailand. These include custody, visitation and inheritance rights. It also helps them in visa applications.

If a father wants to have custody of his child in Thailand he must register their legitimacy with the district office with the mother’s consent and upon a court’s judgement. The registrar will notify the mother and child of his application for registration of their legitimacy. She has ninety days to object. She can do so by proving that the child is not his or that she is unsuitable to exercise parental power partly or entirely.

Child legitimation is an important process in Thailand that reflects cultural values, legal considerations and children’s rights. It has far-reaching implications for families and society. The process aims to protect family honor and promote cohesive families. In addition, it carries a social acceptance that is beneficial to children. It will help ensure that children are treated equally in a Thai society where family honor and tradition are highly valued.

Fathers Have the Right to Visit Their Children

In most Western countries, fathers are considered to have equal rights and responsibilities over their children. In Thailand, this is not necessarily the case. According to Section 1546 of the Civil and Commercial Code, if a child is born out of wedlock and the mother is not married to the father, the mother has sole parental powers over the child – regardless of whether or not the father’s name is on the birth certificate.

If a father wishes to gain custody of his child in Thailand, he must first register the child’s legitimation at an amphur with the mother’s consent. However, the mother can oppose the application by stating that she does not agree and that he is unsuitable to exercise partial or full parental authority over the child. In this case, the application for legitimation of the child will need to be petitioned before court for a judgment. This will take a minimum of 60 days or 180 days in case the mother and the child are living abroad.

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Child Support in Thailand

Child Support, also called maintenance is not something that normally gets disputed much during divorce proceedings in Thailand. School fees, food, housing and medicine are generally covered by the payment of child support.

In case of a dispute, the court will take various factors into consideration prior to judgment. The courts will consider relative incomes, expenses and assets of the parties involved.

Legitimation

If a child’s father is not named on the birth certificate or he has not undertaken the full legitimization process, then he does not have any legal rights to that child and cannot demand support. Under Thai law, only the biological father has parental rights to the child.

In a divorce case in Thailand the parties can agree to share physical custody and also to deal with the issue of child support (alimony) within their settlement agreement. They can then register this agreement at a district office as a simple procedure within a consensual administrative divorce case.

This was highlighted in a seminar held at the parliament to promote the importance of expanding the universal child support grant to all children under 6. This will ensure that the most vulnerable children receive basic social protection from the state. UNICEF and other partners emphasized that evidence shows that investment in children in their first six years yields the greatest long-term returns for society.

Divorce

Fathers are required to support their children financially until the child becomes a legal adult. This duty can be established either by agreement between the parents or through a family court ruling. If the mother has a child out of wedlock, Thai law grants her full parental rights unless the father acknowledges his paternity through a process called “legitimation”.

The amount of money a parent must send for their child is usually determined in the divorce settlement. This will be submitted to the district office along with the divorce agreement and will be enforceable once it is registered.

In disputed cases, the court considers relative incomes, expenses and assets to determine an appropriate amount of child support. If a parent’s financial circumstances change, it is possible to petition the court to modify the amount of child support. We often help clients collect and legalize relevant documentation to present in such a case. We can also assist in filing a claim against a noncustodial parent who leaves Thailand and flees back to their home country to avoid paying child support.

Custody

Child support is an important part of Thai family law, aimed at safeguarding children’s financial well-being in the event of separation or divorce. The Child Support Act of 1998 provides a legal framework that promotes fairness and equity by considering relative incomes, expenses, and the standard of living of each party when determining appropriate child support payments.

Unmarried biological fathers in Thailand do not have custodial rights for their children, but can request to legitimize the child in a district office and then ask for child support from the mother. Whether the court will grant such requests is dependent on the child’s best interests and the father’s financial capacity to pay.

The Department of Legal Execution enforces child support orders in Thailand. However, it is not a signatory to international agreements like the Hague Convention and it can be difficult for foreign courts to recognise these judgements. This is why it is very important to have a lawyer on hand who knows how to deal with these matters.

Enforcement

Child maintenance or alimony is an issue that will likely be part of any divorce settlement. It can be negotiated and agreed on or it may be ordered by the Thai courts in the event of a contested divorce. It is important to fully understand and consider the ramifications when contemplating either of these options. A family lawyer in Thailand can assist and advise you with the details of your particular situation.

The courts will take into consideration the relative incomes of the parties, their expenses and assets when deciding on a child support schedule. They will also look at the standard of living that the children are used to and your ability to maintain this level of lifestyle.

The Courts in Thailand are not bound to follow the precedent set by Supreme Court decisions or any other court rulings, however, they will be highly influenced by them. All rulings of the courts are published in the Government Gazette.