Article 177 — The defendant's answer and counterclaim
Texte légal (original thaï)
เมื่อได้ส่งหมายเรียกและคำฟ้องให้จำเลยแล้ว ให้จำเลยทำคำให้การเป็นหนังสือยื่นต่อศาลภายในสิบห้าวัน ให้จำเลยแสดงโดยชัดแจงในคำให้การว่า จำเลยยอมรับหรือปฏิเสธข้ออ้างของโจทก์ทั้งสิ้นหรือแต่บางส่วน รวมทั้งเหตุแห่งการนั้นจำเลยจะฟ้องแย้งมาในคำให้การก็ได้ แต่ถ้าฟ้องแย้งนั้นเป็นเรื่องอื่นไม่เกี่ยวกับคำฟ้องเดิมแล้ว ให้ศาลสั่งให้จำเลยฟ้องเป็นคดีต่างหากให้ศาลตรวจดูคำให้การนั้นแล้วสั่งให้รับไว้ หรือให้คืนไปหรือสั่งไม่รับตามที่บัญญัติไว้ในมาตรา ๑๘บทบัญญัติแห่งมาตรานี้ ให้ใช้บังคับแก่บุคคลภายนอกที่ถูกเรียกเข้ามาเป็นผู้ร้องสอดตามมาตรา ๕๗
(๓) โดยอนุโลม
traduction anglaise
When the summons and the complaint have been served on the defendant, the defendant shall make a written answer and file it with the court within fifteen days. The defendant shall state clearly in the answer whether the defendant admits or denies the plaintiff's allegations in whole or in part, together with the grounds therefor. The defendant may bring a counterclaim in the answer, but if the counterclaim is a separate matter unconnected with the original complaint, the court shall order the defendant to file it as a separate case. The court shall examine the answer and order that it be accepted, returned, or refused as provided in Section 18. The provisions of this Section shall apply mutatis mutandis to an outside person who is summoned to appear as an intervener under Section 57 (3).
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 177 is the counterpart to the plaintiff's complaint: it fixes the fifteen-day period for the answer, the standard of a clear admission or denial with grounds, and the right to counterclaim. The clarity requirement in the second paragraph is decisive, a denial that does not state its grounds may fail to raise an issue. The third paragraph confines counterclaims to matters connected with the original claim so they can be tried together, an unconnected counterclaim is sent off as a separate suit. Court screening of the answer follows Section 18, and the whole regime extends to interveners summoned under Section 57 (3). A defect in raising or joining a counterclaim is often litigated together with Section 178, which governs the reply to a counterclaim.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
Two practical traps stand out. First, the fifteen-day deadline is short and missing it risks a default; count from service, not from when you first hear of the case. Second, a bare denial is not enough, the answer must give the grounds for each denial or the point may be treated as admitted. If you intend to counterclaim, make sure it is genuinely connected to the plaintiff's claim, otherwise the court will make you file and pay for a separate case.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 4837/2567 (2024)
Under the second paragraph of Section 177, a defendant must state clearly in the answer whether it admits or denies the plaintiff's allegations in whole or in part, together with the grounds. A denial that does not squarely meet the plaintiff's stated basis is insufficient.
In a claim to recover property as marital and inheritance assets, the defendants answered only that the deceased had gifted the vehicles before death. The Court measured that answer against the clarity requirement of Section 177 paragraph two.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 5660/2567 (2024)
An answer that clearly asserts the claim is time-barred and states the reason satisfies the second paragraph of Section 177, which does not require citing the exact statutory section. Citing the wrong subsection is a minor slip that does not change the defence.
The defendants pleaded a five-year prescription running from the last delivery note, citing the wrong subsection of the Civil and Commercial Code. The Court held the answer was clear and grounded under Section 177 paragraph two, and the miscited subsection was immaterial.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 450/2567 (2024)
Under the third paragraph of Section 177, a counterclaim that arises from the same contract and is connected with the plaintiff's original claim should be accepted for trial together with it, rather than rejected as an unrelated tort claim.
The defendant's counterclaim for lost business profit arose from the same land sale contract sued upon. The Supreme Court reversed the appellate ruling and ordered the counterclaim admitted, holding it connected with the original claim under Section 177 paragraph three.
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
How long does a defendant have to file an answer in a Thai civil case?
Fifteen days from service of the summons and complaint, under Section 177. Missing the deadline risks being declared in default of an answer.
Is a simple denial enough in an answer?
No. Section 177 requires the defendant to state clearly whether it admits or denies and to give the grounds. A denial without grounds may fail to raise a proper issue.
Can the defendant counterclaim against the plaintiff?
Yes, in the answer, but only if the counterclaim is connected with the original complaint. If it is a separate matter, the court will order it filed as a separate case.