Article 131 — Duty to gather all evidence
Texte légal (original thaï)
ให้พนักงานสอบสวนรวบรวมหลักฐานทุกชนิด
เท่าที่สามารถจะทำได้ เพื่อประสงค์จะทราบข้อเท็จจริงและพฤติการณ์ต่าง ๆ อันเกี่ยวกับความผิดที่ถูกกล่าวหา เพื่อจะรู้ตัวผู้กระทำผิดและพิสูจน์ให้เห็นความผิดหรือความบริสุทธิ์ของผู้ต้องหา
traduction anglaise
The investigating officer shall collect all kinds of evidence, so far as he is able, in order to ascertain the facts and the various circumstances relating to the alleged offence, so as to identify the offender and to prove the guilt or the innocence of the accused.
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
This provision, in Chapter 1 (Ordinary Investigation), states the core purpose and duty of an investigation: to gather all available evidence, not only to prove guilt but equally to establish innocence. It is even-handed by design, requiring the officer to seek facts that exonerate as well as incriminate. The courts treat the extent of evidence-gathering as a matter of the investigator's discretion, so once he considers the evidence sufficient he need not pursue every additional line a party requests. It operates together with Section 130 (prompt, flexible investigation) and the seizure power in Section 85.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
Section 131 is a reminder that the investigation is meant to work both ways: the police duty is to gather evidence that could clear you as well as evidence against you. If there is exonerating evidence, it is worth ensuring the investigator is made aware of it early. That said, the courts allow the officer discretion over how far to investigate, so if requests for further inquiry are refused, the answer is usually to develop that evidence for trial rather than to attack the investigation itself. A consultation with a Thai lawyer can help you decide how to present exculpatory evidence.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 326/2566 (2023)
Under Section 131 the investigator gathers all kinds of evidence, whether he finds it himself or it is supplied by a party or outsider, to ascertain the facts, identify the offender and prove the offence and the true loss; evidence need not come from the injured person alone.
The Supreme Court held that under Section 131 the investigator gathers all evidence, including facts he traces himself, to establish the offence and the true loss. Where the investigator checked bank records and found transfers from the victim to the defendant totalling 3,023,352 baht, that was evidence gathered under his own authority and not required to come only from the injured person.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 8403/2561 (2018)
Section 131 gives the investigator discretion in gathering evidence; once he considers the evidence sufficient, he need not gather more or examine every witness the accused requests, and this does not make the investigation unlawful.
The Supreme Court held that under Section 131 the gathering of evidence is within the investigator's discretion. Once he considers the evidence sufficient, he may decline to gather more or to examine additional witnesses requested by the defendants, and this does not render the investigation unlawful.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 6877/2559 (2016)
Section 131 empowers the investigator to collect all kinds of evidence, so far as possible, to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the alleged offence, identify the offender, and prove the guilt or innocence of the accused.
In addressing whether the defendant official had committed an offence, the Supreme Court cited Section 131 as empowering the investigator to collect all available evidence to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the alleged offence, identify the offender, and prove guilt or innocence, read together with the seizure power in Section 85 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
Does the investigator have to gather evidence that helps the accused?
Yes. Section 131 requires the investigator to gather all available evidence to prove the guilt or the innocence of the accused, so exonerating evidence is within his duty.
Can an investigator decline to gather more evidence?
Yes. The courts treat the extent of evidence-gathering as the investigator's discretion, so once he considers the evidence sufficient he need not pursue every further inquiry a party requests.
Can the investigator seize property as evidence?
Yes. To carry out the duty in Section 131, the investigator may seize or attach items, such as bank-account funds, as evidence relating to the alleged offence, in line with Section 85.