Article 38 — Postponement for court's own business
Texte légal (original thaï)
ถ้าในวันที่กำหนดนัดนั่งพิจารณาศาลไม่มีเวลาพอที่จะดำเนินการนั่งพิจารณา เนื่องจากกิจธุระของศาล ศาลจะมีคำสั่งให้เลื่อนการนั่งพิจารณาไปในวันอื่นตามที่เห็นสมควรก็ได้
traduction anglaise
If, on the day appointed for a hearing, the court does not have sufficient time to conduct the hearing owing to the court's business, the court may order the hearing to be postponed to another day as it thinks fit.
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 38 is a narrow exception to the continuous trial principle in section 37. It allows the court, on its own motion, to postpone a hearing solely because the court's own workload leaves it without enough time on the appointed day. It is distinct from postponements requested by a party, which are governed by the stricter conditions in sections 40 and 41, and from postponements to await another decision under section 39. Because the ground is the court's schedule rather than a party's conduct, no cost consequences fall on the parties.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
A postponement under this section is outside your control: it happens because the court's docket is full, not because of anything you did, and it carries no penalty or cost order against you. Practically, treat the new date as a fresh full hearing and keep your witnesses on standby, since court-driven adjournments can be short. If repeated court postponements are delaying your matter, a Thai lawyer can help you track the docket and press for an early date.
Foire aux questions
Can the court postpone my hearing on its own?
Yes. Under section 38, if the court does not have enough time on the appointed day because of its own business, it may postpone the hearing to another suitable date. This is separate from a party asking for a postponement.
Do I have to pay anything if the court postpones for its own reasons?
No. A postponement under section 38 stems from the court's workload, not from your conduct, so there is no allowance or expense order against you. Cost consequences arise only when a party requests a postponement under section 40.