Article 236: Sequestration of Witnesses at Trial
Statutory text (Thai original)
ในระหว่างพิจารณาศาลมีอำนาจสั่งให้ผู้ที่จะเป็นพยานซึ่งมิใช่จำเลย ออกไปอยู่ภายนอกห้องพิจารณาจนกว่าจะเข้ามาเบิกความ อนึ่งเมื่อพยานเบิกความแล้วจะให้รออยู่ในห้องพิจารณาก่อนก็ได้
English translation
During the trial, the court has power to order a person who is to be a witness, other than the defendant, to remain outside the courtroom until he comes in to give evidence. Moreover, after a witness has given evidence, the court may allow him to remain in the courtroom.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified. Always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 236 gives the trial court a discretionary tool to keep the integrity of oral evidence under Book 5, Chapter 2. By ordering not-yet-heard witnesses to wait outside, the court prevents them from tailoring their testimony to what earlier witnesses have said. The defendant is expressly excluded from being sent out, consistent with his right to be present throughout his own trial. The power is discretionary, the court may also permit a witness who has finished to remain in the room, for example where his continued presence assists the proceedings.
Why this matters in practice
This matters for trial strategy: if you are running a case, you can ask the court to keep your opponent's witnesses out of the room until each testifies, reducing the risk that later witnesses simply echo earlier ones. Conversely, the defendant cannot be excluded and is entitled to hear all the evidence. Coordinating witnesses and timing their appearances is something your trial lawyer should plan in advance.
Foire aux questions
Pourquoi les témoins sont-ils priés d'attendre à l'extérieur de la salle d'audience en Thaïlande ?
En vertu de l'article 236, le tribunal peut ordonner aux témoins de rester à l'extérieur jusqu'à ce qu'ils témoignent afin qu'ils n'entendent pas d'autres témoins au préalable et n'adaptent pas leur témoignage en conséquence.
L'accusé peut-il être sommé de quitter la salle d'audience en vertu de l'article 236 ?
Non. L'article 236 ne s'applique qu'aux personnes appelées à témoigner. L'accusé en est expressément exclu et a le droit d'être présent pendant toute la durée du procès.
Citer cette section
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Citation simple
Criminal Procedure Code, s. 236 (Thailand) -
Citation académique
Criminal Procedure Code (Thailand), s. 236. ThaiLawOnline, https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-236/ (accessed 1 septembre 2026). -
Citation thaïlandaise
ป.วิ.อ. มาตรา 236 -
Lien permanent
https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-236/ -
Intégrer sur votre site
<blockquote cite="https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-236/"><p>During the trial, the court has power to order a person who is to be a witness, other than the defendant, to remain outside the courtroom until he comes in to give evidence. Moreover, after a witness has given evidence, the court may allow him…</p><footer>Criminal Procedure Code, s. 236 (Thailand): <a href="https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-criminal-procedure-code/section-236/">ThaiLawOnline</a></footer></blockquote>
The Thai text is authoritative. The English is an unofficial translation by ThaiLawOnline, free to reuse with attribution.