Article 189 — Definition of small claims
Texte légal (original thaï)
คดีมโนสาเร่ คือ
(๑) คดีที่มีคำขอให้ปลดเปลื้องทุกข์อันอาจคำนวณเป็นราคาเงินได้ไม่เกินสี่หมื่นบาทหรือไม่เกินจำนวนที่กำหนดในพระราชกฤษฎีกา
(๒) คดีฟ้องขับไล่บุคคลใด ๆ ออกจากอสังหาริมทรัพย์อันมีค่าเช่าหรืออาจให้เช่าได้ในขณะยื่นคำฟ้องไม่เกินเดือนละสี่พันบาทหรือไม่เกินจำนวนที่กำหนดในพระราชกฤษฎีกา
traduction anglaise
Small claims cases are:
(1) a case with a claim to be relieved of a grievance capable of being calculated into a money value not exceeding forty thousand baht, or not exceeding the amount fixed by Royal Decree;
(2) a case suing to evict any person from immovable property having a rent, or capable of being let, at the time of filing the complaint not exceeding four thousand baht per month, or not exceeding the amount fixed by Royal Decree.
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 189 opens Chapter 1 on small claims procedure by defining the two categories of small claims: money-value claims and low-rent eviction claims. The figures in the text (40,000 baht and 4,000 baht per month) are base ceilings that the Code allows a Royal Decree to raise; the Royal Decree fixing the amount for small claims cases (B.E. 2546) currently sets the money threshold at 300,000 baht. Classification as a small claim is decided at the time of filing and controls the special, faster procedure and the reduced court fees under sections 190 to 193 quinque. Whether a case falls within the ceiling is judged on its amount in controversy, which is calculated under section 190.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
Small claims status is a real advantage: cheaper court fees, an oral or written complaint, and a fast single-day hearing. If your money claim is at or under 300,000 baht (the current Royal Decree figure), it is a small claim, and this is common in debt and unpaid-invoice matters. For recovery of money owed, see our debt collection service.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 9500/2556 (2013)
Whether a case is a small claim under section 189 turns on its amount in controversy as set by the Royal Decree; here an eviction suit met by a counterclaim over land, valued at 240,000 baht, was a small claim, so only the small claims court fee was due.
An eviction suit became a case with an amount in controversy when the defendant claimed the disputed land; at 240,000 baht it was a small claim under section 189 with the 2003 Royal Decree, so charging each side 6,000 baht in court fees was wrong.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 2472/2554 (2011)
A claim to be relieved of a grievance calculable in money and not exceeding the Royal Decree ceiling is a small claims case under section 189(1).
The plaintiff sued for about 22,751 baht in unpaid fees for security-guard services; the court held this was a small claims case under section 189(1).
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 3664/2554 (2011)
The definition of a small claim in section 189, read with the Royal Decree ceiling in force when the complaint is filed, governs both whether the case is a small claim and the applicable court fee.
The Supreme Court, in a family division case, applied section 189 together with the then-current Royal Decree ceiling to determine that the case was a small claim and to set the correct court fee.
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
What is a small claims case in Thailand?
Under section 189 it is a money claim within the statutory ceiling, currently 300,000 baht by Royal Decree, or an eviction from property with a low monthly rent.
What is the money limit for a small claim now?
The base figure in section 189 is 40,000 baht, but the current Royal Decree raises it to 300,000 baht for money claims.
When is the small claims amount assessed?
It is assessed at the time the complaint is filed, and the amount in controversy is calculated under section 190.