Article 112 — Oath or affirmation of witnesses
Texte légal (original thaï)
ก่อนเบิกความพยานทุกคนต้องสาบานตนตามลัทธิศาสนาหรือจารีตประเพณีแห่งชาติของตน หรือกล่าวคำปฏิญาณว่าจะให้การตามความสัตย์จริงเสียก่อน เว้นแต่
(๑) พระมหากษัตริย์ พระราชินี พระรัชทายาท หรือผู้สำเร็จราชการแทนพระองค์
(๒) บุคคลที่มีอายุต่ำกว่าสิบห้าปี หรือบุคคลที่ศาลเห็นว่าหย่อนความรู้สึกผิดและชอบ
(๓) พระภิกษุและสามเณรในพุทธศาสนา
(๔) บุคคลซึ่งคู่ความทั้งสองฝ่ายตกลงกันว่าไม่ต้องให้สาบานหรือกล่าวคำปฏิญาณ
traduction anglaise
Before giving testimony, every witness must take an oath according to the doctrine of their religion or the custom of their nation, or make an affirmation that they will testify truthfully, except:
(1) the King, the Queen, the Heir Apparent, or the Regent;
(2) a person under fifteen years of age, or a person whom the court considers to be deficient in the sense of right and wrong;
(3) Buddhist monks and novices;
(4) a person whom both parties agree need not take an oath or make an affirmation.
Cette traduction anglaise est fournie à titre indicatif uniquement et n'a pas encore été vérifiée de manière définitive ; référez-vous toujours à l'original thaï.
Annotation de l'entreprise
Section 112 states the general rule that testimony is given under oath or affirmation, a safeguard of truthfulness that underpins the value of oral evidence in Chapter 2. The four exceptions reflect respect for the monarchy and the Buddhist clergy, the limited capacity of young children and persons lacking moral understanding, and party autonomy where both sides waive the formality. The oath or affirmation follows the witness's own religion or national custom, so no single form is imposed. The requirement connects with Section 113 on oral testimony and Section 116 on the preliminary questions that open a witness's evidence, and it applies in criminal proceedings through Section 15 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
The oath is not a mere ceremony: testimony taken without the required oath or affirmation can be challenged as improperly received, which can undermine a party's evidence on appeal. Check that each of your witnesses is sworn on the record, and if a witness falls within an exemption, make sure the reason is noted. When both sides genuinely agree a witness need not be sworn, that agreement should be recorded to avoid a later dispute. If you are unsure how witness formalities work in a Thai courtroom, an consultation en ligne avec un avocat thaïlandais can clarify before the hearing.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 7988/2551 (2008)
A person's statement used as evidence against another must be given under the oath or affirmation required by Section 112; an unsworn statement is improperly received and cannot properly ground a finding.
In a contempt of court matter not committed in the court's presence, the chief judge questioned the accuser and used that account to punish the accused, although the accuser had not taken the oath or affirmation required by Section 112 (former version) as applied to criminal cases through Section 15 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Supreme Court treated the unsworn statement as improperly received.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 1760/2540 (1997)
The oath or affirmation requirement of Section 112, and the examination rules of Section 117, only arise where witnesses are actually examined; where the court dispenses with witness examination because the facts are already sufficient, no oath or examination is needed.
After the parties admitted the facts, the labour court found the evidence sufficient and dispensed with examining the witnesses. The Supreme Court held that where there is no witness examination there is likewise no oath or affirmation and no questioning of witnesses under Sections 112 and 117.
Décisions sélectionnées avec numéros de dossier vérifiés dans la base de données de la Cour suprême. Les versions anglaises sont des traductions éditoriales réalisées par le cabinet à des fins d'étude.
Foire aux questions
Does a witness have to swear an oath before testifying in a Thai court?
Yes. Section 112 requires every witness to take an oath according to their religion or national custom, or to affirm that they will testify truthfully, unless they fall within one of the four listed exemptions.
Who is exempt from taking an oath as a witness?
Section 112 exempts the King, Queen, Heir Apparent or Regent; persons under fifteen or those the court finds cannot tell right from wrong; Buddhist monks and novices; and any person both parties agree need not be sworn.