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Penal Code Section 326 — Criminal defamation — general
Penal Code (Criminal Code) (ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา) — Section 326.
Plain-English Summary
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.
Context
This section sits within Book II, Title XI — Offences against Reputation of the Penal Code (Criminal Code). It should be read together with the surrounding provisions and any applicable Ministerial Regulations, Royal Decrees or Revenue Department / Police orders that elaborate the detail.
Official Text
Official Thai text at the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State. Translation summary only.
Consult official sourceParent Statute
Penal Code (Criminal Code)
ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา · B.E. 2499 (1956)
The Penal Code is Thailand's principal criminal statute. Promulgated in 1956 to replace the earlier 1908 Penal Code, it sets out the general principles of criminal liability and defines the major substantive offences from offences against the State and the monarchy through to offences against the person and against property. It has been amended many times to introduce new offences and to modify penalties.
The summary above is a plain-English educational paraphrase of Section 326 of the Penal Code (Criminal Code). It is not an authoritative translation. For the binding Thai text, consult the Royal Gazette or the Office of the Council of State. Educational use only — not a substitute for advice from a Thai-qualified lawyer.
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