LEGAL MEASURES ON HOMEOPATHY IN THAILAND

Abstract

              Homeopathy treatment is a branch of alternative medicine that is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world and is the fastest growing. So many people now choose to use homeopathy as potential medicine. In Thailand, although this treatment is quite new, homeopathy is on a rapid rise and it is becoming a booming medical business.

              However, many countries, including Thailand, still do not have the appropriate legal measures and standards for homeopathic treatment, which would enable this treatment to be adapted and applied for proper use. The result of the lack of a legal mechanism could lead to the following questions regarding the safety of homeopathic treatment or homeopathic products, the appropriate qualification of the product resulting from the effectiveness of the treatment and the health conditions for the treatment to be applied. Consequently, the consumers or patients are currently treated by unlicensed homeopaths and consume homeopathic products that are unregulated by law. The lack of such control systems leads to problems concerning the consumer protection and quality in healthcare for the patients, consumers and also public interests.

              This thesis aims to study the problems of Thai law in controlling homeopath licensing and homeopathic products, and compares Thai law to the principles of foreign legislations such as United State of America and India for activities of all parties involved in Homeopathic treatment and products so as to analyze and propose a legislation solution to Thai law.