Health officials are giving out cannabis oil to elderly residents with severe illnesses as form for pain relief.

The provincial cannabis council president, Netiwit Khawdee, visited those suffering with various conditions in Trang, southern Thailand on Monday (March 9) morning.

He brought the bottles of cannabis oil given to be distributed to the patients.

Footage shows the council president visited a patient Somkid Artteng, 66, who has been suffering from a Parkinson's for more than 20 years.

The pensioner's condition has worsened so much lately that she shakes for almost 24 hours and can no longer talk

The council president said he chose to help 40 of the most severely ill patients as the cannabis oil can bring them pain relief.

He said: "There are numerous patients waiting to be treated by the cannabis oil after the government granted permission to treat some disease.

"However, there are some patients that are so sick and in so much pain, that their family are preparing to hold a funeral already.

"I chose to distribute them this medication first and this patient is the 25th of 40 patients that I chose to help.

"Around 80 per cent of the treated patients felt better and said it eased their suffering, which made their family feel better.

"I hope the government will produce more, so that all the patients can receive it and I will not have to choose some over the rest."

ENDS