Article 80 — Definition of a flagrant offense
Texte légal (original thaï)
ที่เรียกว่าความผิดซึ่งหน้านั้น ได้แก่ความผิดซึ่งเห็นกำลังกระทำ หรือพบในอาการใดซึ่งแทบจะไม่มีความสงสัยเลยว่าเขาได้กระทำผิดมาแล้วสด ๆอย่างไรก็ดี ความผิดอาญาดังระบุไว้ในบัญชีท้ายประมวลกฎหมายนี้ ให้ถือว่าความผิดนั้นเป็นความผิดซึ่งหน้าในกรณีดังนี้
(๑) เมื่อบุคคลหนึ่งถูกไล่จับดังผู้กระทำโดยมีเสียงร้องเอะอะ
(๒) เมื่อพบบุคคลหนึ่งแทบจะทันทีทันใดหลังจากการกระทำผิดในถิ่นแถวใกล้เคียงกับที่เกิดเหตุนั้นและมีสิ่งของที่ได้มาจากการกระทำผิด หรือมีเครื่องมือ อาวุธหรือวัตถุอย่างอื่นอันสันนิษฐานได้ว่าได้ใช้ในการกระทำผิด หรือมีร่องรอยพิรุธเห็นประจักษ์ที่เสื้อผ้าหรือเนื้อตัวของผู้นั้น
traduction anglaise
A flagrant offense means an offense that is seen being committed, or in which a person is found under circumstances almost leaving no doubt that they have just committed it fresh. Nevertheless, a criminal offense specified in the schedule annexed to this Code shall be deemed a flagrant offense in the following cases: (1) when a person is pursued as the offender amid an outcry; (2) when a person is found almost immediately after the commission of the offense in the vicinity of the scene, together with property obtained from the offense, or with tools, weapons, or other objects giving rise to a presumption that they were used in committing the offense, or with suspicious traces plainly visible on their clothing or body.
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
Section 80 defines the flagrant offense, the concept that unlocks warrantless arrest under Section 78(1) and private arrest under Section 79. The core definition covers an offense seen being committed or a person found in circumstances that almost leave no doubt they have just committed it. The section then extends the concept, for offenses listed in the schedule, to two constructive situations: pursuit as the offender amid an outcry, and discovery almost immediately after the offense near the scene with incriminating property, instruments, or visible traces. This definition is central to arrest law because it marks the line between when an on-the-spot arrest without a warrant is permitted and when a warrant is required.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
Whether an offense is flagrant often decides if an arrest without a warrant was lawful, so this definition matters in many drug, theft, and violence cases. In practice, being caught in possession of contraband, or being found right after an offense near the scene with incriminating items, will usually count as flagrant and justify immediate arrest. The extended, constructive forms apply only to offenses in the schedule, so the type of offense matters too. If your case turns on whether the situation was truly flagrant, that is a fact-heavy point worth reviewing carefully with a lawyer; you can arrange an consultation en ligne avec un avocat thaïlandais.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 8764/2554 (2011)
Continuous pursuit ending in the defendant fleeing into a house, in circumstances almost leaving no doubt the offense was just committed, is a flagrant offense under Section 80(2), allowing arrest without a search or arrest warrant.
After the defendant fled a police checkpoint on a snatched motorcycle, officers pursued continuously until he ran into his house. The Court held that the circumstances left almost no doubt he had just committed the offense fresh, making it a flagrant offense under Section 80(2) and allowing arrest without a search or arrest warrant under Section 78(1) and Section 92(3).
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 4316/2560 (2017)
Finding a person in possession of drugs is a flagrant offense under Section 80, so officers may arrest without a warrant under Section 78(1).
On searching, officers found methamphetamine on the defendants, one of whom admitted the drugs in the room were his, which the Court treated as a flagrant offense. Officers therefore had power to arrest without a warrant under Section 78(1) and Section 80, and the search and arrest were lawful.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 10060/2558 (2015)
Where officers lawfully in a room find drugs and drug paraphernalia, that is a flagrant offense under Section 80, permitting arrest without an arrest warrant under Section 78(1).
Officers who entered a room without a search warrant on statutory grounds found drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine there and more in a vehicle. The Court held this was a flagrant offense allowing arrest without a warrant under Section 78(1) and Section 80, so the search and arrest were lawful.
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
What is a flagrant offense under Thai law?
Under Section 80, a flagrant offense is one seen being committed, or where a person is found in circumstances almost leaving no doubt they just committed it. Listed offenses are also treated as flagrant when the person is chased amid an outcry or found near the scene right after with incriminating items.
Why does it matter if an offense is flagrant?
Because a flagrant offense allows an arrest without a warrant under Section 78(1) and, for listed offenses, an arrest by a private person under Section 79. If the offense is not flagrant, a warrant is generally required.