Article 204 — Defendant default: ex parte trial
Texte légal (original thaï)
ถ้าจำเลยขาดนัดพิจารณา ให้ศาลพิจารณาและชี้ขาดตัดสินคดีนั้นไปฝ่ายเดียว
traduction anglaise
If the defendant defaults of appearance, the court shall try and adjudicate the case ex parte.
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 204 is the mirror image of Section 202: where the defendant rather than the plaintiff defaults at trial, the case is not struck out but tried ex parte. The plaintiff, though unopposed, does not win automatically; Section 206 requires the court to be satisfied the claim has merit and is not contrary to law. Section 205 first requires the court to confirm the hearing summons was duly served before proceeding. In summary and non-complicated cases, the courts read Section 204 together with Section 206 paragraph two, applying Section 198 bis on documentary evidence in lieu of witnesses by analogy, and a formal order recording the defendant's default is a required step.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
An ex parte trial is not a rubber stamp. The plaintiff must still prove the claim with evidence, and any judgment can be reopened if the defendant later shows the default was not intentional or had reasonable cause under Sections 207 and 199 ter. For defendants, missing the hearing is dangerous but not always fatal, provided you act fast to seek a retrial. Learn what to expect from a Thai court hearing before deciding whether to appear.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 15018/2551 (2008)
In a small claims case where the defendant fails to appear without seeking a postponement, the defendant is deemed in default of appearance and Section 204 applies, so the court tries and decides the case ex parte, applying the ordinary default provisions and Section 206 paragraph two by analogy.
The defendant did not attend the hearing in a small claims case. The Supreme Court held the defendant was in default of appearance under Section 204, allowing an ex parte trial, and that Section 204 read with Section 206 paragraph two brings in Section 198 bis paragraphs two and three by analogy for cases where the defendant is in default.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 7877/2546 (2003)
In a non-complicated case, before the court may let the plaintiff submit documents in lieu of witness evidence under Section 198 bis paragraph three (1), read with Sections 204 and 206 paragraph two, the court must first make an order that the defendant is in default of appearance; skipping that order renders the proceedings improper.
The trial court let the plaintiff submit documents in lieu of witnesses without first ordering that the defendants were in default of appearance. The Supreme Court held this was improper, since Sections 204 and 206 paragraph two require a default order before that shortcut applies, and remitted the case for correct procedure.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 3123/2545 (2002)
Applying Sections 204 and 206 paragraph two with Section 198 bis paragraph three (1), the court must first order that the defendant is in default of appearance before allowing documents in lieu of witness evidence; recording only a default in filing a defence, without a default of appearance order, is improper.
The trial court ordered the defendant in default of filing a defence and let the plaintiff submit documents in lieu of witnesses, but never ordered a default of appearance. The Supreme Court held the procedure improper under Sections 204 and 206 paragraph two and remitted for correction.
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 happens if the defendant does not appear at the hearing?
Under Section 204, the court tries and decides the case ex parte, meaning it proceeds on the plaintiff's evidence alone. It is not an automatic win; the plaintiff must still prove the claim.
Can a defendant who missed the hearing still fight the case?
Yes. If the ex parte judgment goes against the defendant, Sections 207 and 199 ter allow a request for a retrial where the default was not intentional or had reasonable cause, subject to strict time limits.
Must the court check that the defendant was properly summoned?
Yes. Under Section 205, before proceeding ex parte the court must be satisfied the summons fixing the hearing date was duly served, otherwise it postpones and orders fresh service.