Article 265 — Effect of a Pardon on the Penalty
Texte légal (original thaï)
ในกรณีที่มีการอภัยโทษเด็ดขาดโดยไม่มีเงื่อนไข ห้ามมิให้บังคับโทษนั้น ถ้าบังคับโทษไปบ้างแล้วให้หยุดทันที ถ้าเป็นโทษปรับที่ชำระแล้ว ให้คืนค่าปรับให้ไปทั้งหมดถ้าการอภัยโทษเป็นแต่เพียงเปลี่ยนโทษหนักเป็นเบาหรือลดโทษ โทษที่เหลืออยู่ก็ให้บังคับไปได้แต่การได้รับพระราชทานอภัยโทษ ไม่เป็นเหตุให้ผู้รับพ้นความรับผิดในการต้องคืนหรือใช้ราคาทรัพย์สินหรือค่าทดแทนตามคำพิพากษา
traduction anglaise
Where an absolute and unconditional pardon is granted, that penalty shall not be enforced; if the penalty has already been partly enforced, its enforcement shall stop immediately; and if it is a fine that has already been paid, the entire fine shall be refunded. Where the pardon merely commutes a heavier penalty to a lighter one or reduces the penalty, the remaining penalty may still be enforced. However, the grant of a royal pardon does not relieve the recipient of liability to return or to pay the value of property, or to pay compensation, under the judgment.
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 section defines what a pardon actually does to the sentence, distinguishing three situations. An absolute, unconditional pardon extinguishes the penalty entirely, halts any part being served, and triggers a refund of a paid fine. A pardon that only commutes a heavier penalty to a lighter one or reduces it leaves the balance fully enforceable. The final clause is the key limiting principle: clemency reaches only the punishment, not the civil consequences of the crime, so orders to restore property or pay compensation to the victim survive the pardon. This aligns with the criminal-civil split reflected in sections 43 to 51 of the Code and in the substantive rules of the Civil and Commercial Code.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
For a victim, the most important point is that a pardon does not wipe out the offender's obligation to return property or pay compensation ordered in the judgment: those civil duties remain enforceable and can still be collected. For a pardoned defendant, an unconditional pardon means any fine already paid should be refunded, but a mere commutation or reduction leaves you serving the rest of the sentence. Enforcing a surviving restitution order is a civil-execution matter, and a Avocat spécialisé dans le recouvrement de créances en Thaïlande can pursue it if the offender does not pay voluntarily.
Foire aux questions
Does a royal pardon cancel an order to pay compensation to the victim?
No. Section 265 states that a pardon does not relieve the recipient of liability to return property or pay its value or compensation under the judgment; those civil duties remain enforceable.
Is a paid fine refunded if a pardon is granted?
Yes, but only for an absolute unconditional pardon. Under section 265 the whole fine is refunded; a mere commutation or reduction does not trigger a refund.
What is the difference between an absolute pardon and a commutation?
An absolute unconditional pardon ends the penalty entirely, while a commutation or reduction only lightens it, leaving the remaining penalty enforceable under section 265.