Penal Code (Criminal Code)

Book II, Title I — Offences relating to the Security of the Kingdom

Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years. Section 112 is one of the most controversial and most strictly enforced provisions in the Penal Code; the offence is non-bailable in practice and applies to statements made anywhere in the world.

Book II, Title I — Offences relating to the Security of the Kingdom

Whoever, by speech, writing or other means, not within the purposes of the Constitution or for expressing an honest opinion or criticism, raises ill-feeling among the people in such a manner as to cause unrest, or to incite the commission of an offence against the laws of the country or against public order, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years. Frequently charged alongside Section 112 in political cases.

Book II, Title II — Offences relating to Public Administration

Whoever resists or obstructs an official in the lawful performance of his duty, by force or threat of force, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding one year or fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both. Aggravated forms (using a weapon, acting in concert) carry higher penalties.

Book II, Title III — Offences relating to Judicial Proceedings

Whoever gives false testimony in a court trial, the false statement being material to the case, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding five years or fine not exceeding 100,000 baht, or both. Perjury in a capital case (offences punishable by life imprisonment or death) carries higher penalties.

Book II, Title XI — Offences against Reputation

Whoever imputes anything to another person before a third person in a manner likely to impair the reputation of such other person or to expose him to hatred or contempt is said to commit defamation, and shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding one year or fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both. Defamation by publication (Section 328) carries a higher maximum of two years and a fine of 200,000 baht.

Book II, Title XI — Offences against Reputation

A person is not guilty of defamation under Section 326 if he expresses an opinion or statement in good faith: (1) by way of self-defence or for the protection of his lawful interest, (2) in the status of an official in the exercise of his functions, (3) by way of fair comment on a matter open to public criticism, or (4) by way of fair reporting of public proceedings. Truth is a defence under Section 330 except where the defamatory statement concerns purely personal matters and publication offers no public benefit.

Book II, Title XII — Offences against Property

Whoever dishonestly takes away a thing belonging to another, or which the other has in joint possession, commits the offence of theft and shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years and fine not exceeding 60,000 baht. Aggravated theft (at night, by breaking in, by force, in concert) under Section 335 carries higher penalties (one to five years and 20,000–100,000 baht).

Book II, Title XII — Offences against Property

Whoever, dishonestly, deceives another person by the assertion of a falsehood or the concealment of facts which should have been revealed, and by such deception obtains a property from the person deceived or a third party, or causes such person or a third party to execute, revoke or destroy a document of right, commits the offence of fraud and shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years and fine not exceeding 60,000 baht.

Book II, Title XII — Offences against Property

Whoever damages, destroys, reduces the value or renders useless property belonging to another, or property of which another is a joint owner, commits the offence of mischief and shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years or fine not exceeding 60,000 baht, or both. Aggravated forms (against public property, using explosives, in a riot) carry higher penalties.

Book III — Petty Offences (Lahuthos)

Whoever causes a sound or commits any act in a manner which causes disturbance to the inhabitants in the vicinity shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 1,000 baht. This is one of the most-used petty offences and covers everyday public-order issues — noise complaints, unruly behaviour in public, and similar low-level nuisance conduct.