Article 66 — Grounds for an arrest warrant
Texte légal (original thaï)
เหตุที่จะออกหมายจับได้มีดังต่อไปนี้
(๑)
เมื่อมีหลักฐานตามสมควรว่าบุคคลใดน่าจะได้กระทำความผิดอาญาซึ่งมีอัตราโทษจำคุกอย่างสูงเกินสามปี
หรือ
(๒)
เมื่อมีหลักฐานตามสมควรว่าบุคคลใดน่าจะได้กระทำความผิดอาญาและมีเหตุอันควรเชื่อว่าจะหลบหนี
หรือจะไปยุ่งเหยิงกับพยานหลักฐาน หรือก่อเหตุอันตรายประการอื่น
ถ้าบุคคลนั้นไม่มีที่อยู่เป็นหลักแหล่ง
หรือไม่มาตามหมายเรียกหรือตามนัดโดยไม่มีข้อแก้ตัวอันควร
ให้สันนิษฐานว่าบุคคลนั้นจะหลบหนี
traduction anglaise
The grounds on which an arrest warrant may be issued are as follows: (1) when there is reasonable evidence that a person probably committed a criminal offence punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment exceeding three years; or (2) when there is reasonable evidence that a person probably committed a criminal offence and there are reasonable grounds to believe that he will flee, or will interfere with the evidence, or will cause other danger. If that person has no settled dwelling, or fails to comply with a summons or an appointment without reasonable excuse, it shall be presumed that the person will flee.
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 is the central provision defining when an arrest warrant may issue, and it sits at the head of the section of the Code on arrest warrants. It offers two independent gateways: a severity-based ground tied to offences punishable by more than three years imprisonment, and a risk-based ground resting on flight, interference with evidence, or other danger. The final sentence supplies a statutory presumption of flight where the person has no settled dwelling or ignores a summons or appointment without reasonable excuse. It operates together with Section 59/1, which requires reasonable evidence and a reasoned order before any warrant, and connects to Section 71 on detention and Section 78 on arrest without a warrant.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
This section defines the case the state must make to have you arrested, so it is the natural focus when challenging a warrant: was the offence one carrying over three years, or was there real evidence of flight risk, evidence tampering, or danger? The flight presumption is important for expats, since not having a settled address in Thailand or missing a summons can, without a reasonable excuse, be read as flight risk. To reduce that risk, respond to any summons and keep proof of a fixed address; if a warrant may be sought against you, get advice from a Thai lawyer early.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 3803/2562 (2019)
Where there are reasonable grounds to believe a person will flee and the urgency means a warrant cannot first be obtained, a warrantless arrest falls within the exception in Section 78(3) read with Section 66(2) and is lawful.
The court found there were reasonable grounds to believe the plaintiffs would flee and that seeking a warrant first might mean losing them, so the situation was urgent. It held the warrantless arrest at the intersection fell within the exception under Section 78(3) combined with Section 66(2), making the arrest and the subsequent custody lawful.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 4265/2561 (2018)
Where an offence is punishable by imprisonment within the range in Section 66, the court may issue a detention warrant against the suspect during investigation under Section 71 read with Section 66, this being a pre-charge step to keep the suspect within the court's power.
The suspect was accused under Penal Code Section 116, punishable by up to seven years. The court held that because a ground under Section 66 was present, it could issue a detention warrant during investigation under Section 71 read with Section 66; this pre-charge process aims to keep the accused within the court's power, while Section 106 preserves the right to apply for provisional release.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 479/2555 (2012)
A single judge's power to issue an arrest warrant depends on a ground under Section 66 being present, read together with the evidence and reasoned-order requirement in Section 59/1.
The court set out that under the Judicature Act a single judge may issue a criminal warrant, and that for an arrest warrant a ground under Section 66 must appear, either an offence punishable by more than three years or evidence plus reasonable grounds to believe the person will flee, with Section 59/1 requiring reasonable evidence before issuance.
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
When can a court issue an arrest warrant in Thailand?
Under Section 66, either when there is reasonable evidence a person probably committed an offence punishable by more than three years imprisonment, or when there is such evidence plus reasonable grounds to believe he will flee, interfere with evidence, or cause other danger.
Can not having a fixed address lead to an arrest warrant?
It can contribute. Section 66 presumes flight where a person has no settled dwelling or ignores a summons or appointment without reasonable excuse, which supports the risk-based ground.
Does every offence allow an arrest warrant?
No. The severity ground under Section 66(1) applies to offences punishable by more than three years; lesser offences need the risk-based ground under Section 66(2).