Article 178: Persons Allowed in a Closed Courtroom
Statutory text (Thai original)
เมื่อมีการพิจารณาเป็นการลับ บุคคลเหล่านี้เท่านั้นมีสิทธิอยู่ในห้องพิจารณาได้ คือ
(๑) โจทก์และทนาย
(๒) จำเลยและทนาย
(๓) ผู้ควบคุมตัวจำเลย
(๔) พยานและผู้ชำนาญการพิเศษ
(๕) ล่าม
(๖) บุคคลผู้มีประโยชน์เกี่ยวข้องและได้รับอนุญาตจากศาล
(๗) พนักงานศาลและเจ้าหน้าที่รักษาความปลอดภัยแก่ศาลแล้วแต่จะเห็นสมควร
English translation
When a trial is held in camera, only the following persons have the right to be present in the courtroom, namely:
(1) the prosecutor and counsel;
(2) the defendant and counsel;
(3) the person having custody of the defendant;
(4) witnesses and experts;
(5) interpreters;
(6) persons having a related interest and permitted by the court;
(7) court officials and court security officers, as the court thinks fit.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified. Always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 178 is the operative companion to Section 177: once a trial is ordered in camera, this section fixes exactly who may remain present. The list is exhaustive, covering both sides and their counsel, the officer holding the defendant in custody, witnesses and experts, interpreters, court staff and security, and only those interested persons the court expressly permits. By naming interpreters among those entitled to attend, it preserves a non-Thai-speaking party's ability to follow closed proceedings. The court retains discretion over interested persons under (6) and over staff under (7).
Why this matters in practice
For a foreign defendant, the key point is item (5): interpreters are expressly entitled to remain even in a closed trial, so language access is preserved. If you want a family member or other support person present, they fall under item (6) and need the court's specific permission, which should be requested in advance. Reliable interpretation is essential in these hearings; see our note on legal interpreters in Thai courtrooms.
Foire aux questions
Qui est autorisé à entrer dans la salle d'audience lors d'un procès à huis clos ?
L'article 178 les énumère : le procureur et le défendeur avec leurs avocats, l'agent de garde, les témoins et les experts, les interprètes, les personnes intéressées autorisées par le tribunal, ainsi que le personnel et la sécurité du tribunal.
Un interprète peut-il assister à un procès pénal à huis clos ?
Oui. L'article (5) de la section 178 autorise expressément la présence d'interprètes, de sorte qu'une partie ne parlant pas thaï peut toujours suivre un procès tenu à huis clos.
Guides connexes sur ThaiLawOnline
Citer cette section
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Citation simple
Criminal Procedure Code, s. 178 (Thailand) -
Citation académique
Criminal Procedure Code (Thailand), s. 178. ThaiLawOnline, https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-178/ (accessed 1 septembre 2026). -
Citation thaïlandaise
ป.วิ.อ. มาตรา 178 -
Lien permanent
https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-178/ -
Intégrer sur votre site
<blockquote cite="https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-178/"><p>When a trial is held in camera, only the following persons have the right to be present in the courtroom, namely: (1) the prosecutor and counsel; (2) the defendant and counsel; (3) the person having custody of the defendant; (4) witnesses and experts; (5) interpreters;…</p><footer>Criminal Procedure Code, s. 178 (Thailand): <a href="https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-178/">ThaiLawOnline</a></footer></blockquote>
The Thai text is authoritative. The English is an unofficial translation by ThaiLawOnline, free to reuse with attribution.