Article 94 — Entry, showing warrant, use of force
Texte légal (original thaï)
ให้พนักงานฝ่ายปกครองหรือตำรวจที่ทำการค้นในที่รโหฐาน สั่งเจ้าของหรือคนอยู่ในนั้นหรือผู้รักษาสถานที่ซึ่งจะค้น ให้ยอมให้เข้าไปโดยมิหวงห้าม อีกทั้งให้ความสะดวกตามสมควรทุกประการในอันที่จะจัดการตามหมาย ทั้งนี้ ให้พนักงานผู้นั้นแสดงหมาย หรือถ้าค้นได้โดยไม่ต้องมีหมายก็ให้แสดงนามและตำแหน่งถ้าบุคคลดังกล่าวในวรรคต้นมิยอมให้เข้าไป เจ้าพนักงานมีอำนาจใช้กำลังเพื่อเข้าไป ในกรณีจำเป็นจะเปิดหรือทำลายประตูบ้าน ประตูเรือน หน้าต่าง รั้วหรือสิ่งกีดขวางอย่างอื่นทำนองเดียวกันนั้นก็ได้
traduction anglaise
An administrative or police officer conducting a search in a private place shall order the owner, the persons therein, or the keeper of the place to be searched, to permit entry without obstruction and to give, in every reasonable way, the facilities needed to carry out the terms of the warrant; and such officer shall exhibit the warrant, or, if the search may be made without a warrant, shall state his name and position.
If the persons mentioned in the first paragraph do not permit entry, the officer has the power to use force in order to enter; and where necessary, he may open or break the doors of a house or dwelling, windows, fences, or other similar obstacles.
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 94 sets out the procedure for gaining entry to a private place under Chapter 2 (Search). The first paragraph imposes duties on the officer: order the occupant to allow entry, and either exhibit the warrant or, for a lawful warrantless search, state name and position. The second paragraph authorises reasonable force, including breaking barriers, only where entry is refused and it is necessary. It works together with Section 92 (grounds for search), Section 96 (timing) and Section 102 (conducting the search before witnesses).
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
For occupants, the key protections are the right to see the warrant, or to be told the officer's name and position in a warrantless case, before entry. Force to break in is lawful only after entry is refused and only where necessary, so an occupant who cooperates should not face damaged property. If officers broke in without first showing authority, or without a refusal, that may support a challenge to the search. See Ce qu'il faut savoir avant de se présenter devant un tribunal en Thaïlande.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 5568/2558 (2015)
Where the warrant is brought to the scene and exhibited to the occupier shortly after officers arrive, this counts as lawful presentation of the warrant to the person in possession of the place under Section 94.
The warrant was initially held by another officer at a nearby school, then brought to the scene and shown to the complainant shortly afterward. The court held this was lawful presentation of the warrant to the occupier under Section 94, and that the accused understood in good faith that the first group of officers had already shown the warrant to the occupier.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 6403/2545 (2002)
Where the occupant locks the door and refuses to open it, the officer executing the warrant may treat it as a case of necessity and force the door open under the second paragraph of Section 94.
The person inside locked the door and refused to open it, saying he would surrender later, which showed he would not allow officers in to arrest him. The court held that using a piece of wood to force the locked door open was a case of necessity, and the officer executing the warrant had power to do so under the second paragraph of Section 94.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 4791/2528 (1985)
Where there is authority to search without a warrant and a risk that items will be removed, a search conducted before two requested witnesses, breaking a lock only because entry in the owner's presence was not possible, is lawful under Sections 92, 94, and 102.
Because unlawfully obtained goods were in the house and might be moved if not searched that day, and a search in the owner's presence without breaking the lock was not possible, the officer, a police inspector, searched before two witnesses. The court held the search lawful under Sections 92, 94, and 102, so the officer committed no offence, and where he had power to search without a warrant, any defect in the warrant did not remove his authority.
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
Do police have to show a warrant before entering my home?
Yes. Under Section 94, an officer must exhibit the search warrant, or, for a lawful warrantless search, state their name and position, and order the occupant to permit entry.
Can police break down the door to search?
Only if the occupant refuses entry and it is necessary. Section 94 then allows the officer to use force, including opening or breaking doors, windows, fences, or similar obstacles.