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Forwarding Defamatory Online Content as Penal Code §326 / Computer Crime §14
Public Prosecutor v Social Media User
Composite summary — not a single reported case. This entry distils a settled line of Thai Supreme Court (Dika / ฎีกา) authority for legal education. It is not a transcript of one reported judgment, and the heading is not a citable case number. Do not cite it as specific case law — consult a Thai-qualified lawyer for the authoritative Dika number and current application.
Facts
Defendant forwarded defamatory content originally created by a third party; complainant sought criminal sanction.
Legal Issue
Whether mere forwarding (without origination) attracts criminal liability under Penal Code §326-328 and / or Computer Crime Act §14.
Holding
Supreme Court line confirms that forwarding / re-sharing attracts liability — Penal Code §326-328 and Computer Crime Act §14 final paragraph (sharing).
Reasoning
Liability is publication-based; each act of re-publication is a fresh offence.
Significance
Significant for social-media use; chilling effect on viral sharing.
Practical Takeaway
Verify before forwarding; take-down on receiving complaint; document factual basis if relying on truth + public-interest defence.
Cited Statutes
- Penal Code §326-328
- Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550 §14
This entry summarises a representative line of authority from the Thai Supreme Court (ฎีกา). It is intended for general legal education only and is not a substitute for advice from a Thai-qualified lawyer. Individual Dika case numbers are being verified against primary sources; until then these entries are presented as composite doctrinal summaries.
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