Article 396: Dumping an animal carcass on a public way
Statutory text (Thai original)
ผู้ใดทิ้งซากสัตว์ซึ่งอาจเน่าเหม็น ในหรือริมทางสาธารณะ ต้องระวางโทษปรับไม่เกินห้าพันบาท หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๖ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๘]
English translation
Whoever dumps an animal carcass that may become putrid and malodorous in or beside a public way shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand baht.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified. Always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
The elements are (1) dumping an animal carcass, (2) the carcass being one that may become putrid and malodorous, and (3) the place being in or beside a public way. The statute says "may become putrid", so the prosecution does not have to wait for a smell to develop or prove that one did; the potential is enough. The words "or beside" extend the section past the road surface itself to the verge, which is where carcasses are most often left. The penalty is a fine only, not exceeding 5,000 baht. This is the Penal Code's only provision dealing with animal carcasses. There is no separate Penal Code duty on an owner to burn or bury a dead animal: disposal obligations of that kind arise under the Public Health Act B.E. 2535, the Animal Epidemics Act and local regulations, which are separate statutes with their own penalties.
Why this matters in practice
The practical reach of this section is roadside dumping of livestock and pet carcasses, and it is a fine-only offence capped at 5,000 baht. Because liability turns on the act of dumping in or beside a public way, an owner who leaves a dead animal on their own land falls outside this section, though they may still face obligations under the Public Health Act B.E. 2535 and local sanitation rules, and under the Animal Epidemics Act where a notifiable disease is suspected. Where the animal died of disease, the reporting duties can matter considerably more than this penalty.
Foire aux questions
Est-il illégal de jeter un animal mort sur la voie publique en Thaïlande ?
Yes. Under Section 396, dumping an animal carcass that may become putrid and malodorous in or beside a public way is a petty offence with a fine of up to 5,000 baht.
Must the carcass already be rotting for Section 396 to apply?
Non. Cette section concerne une carcasse susceptible de devenir putride et malodorante ; il suffit donc que la décomposition soit probable ; il n'est pas nécessaire qu'elle ait commencé au moment du dépôt.
Does the Penal Code require an owner to burn or bury a dead animal?
No. Section 396 is the Penal Code's only provision on animal carcasses and it punishes dumping in or beside a public way. Duties to burn, bury or otherwise dispose of a dead animal arise under the Public Health Act B.E. 2535, the Animal Epidemics Act and local regulations, which are separate statutes with their own penalties.
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Citation simple
Penal Code, s. 396 (Thailand) -
Citation académique
Penal Code (Thailand), s. 396. ThaiLawOnline, https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-penal-code/section-396/ (accessed 30 août 2026). -
Citation thaïlandaise
ป.อ. มาตรา 396 -
Lien permanent
https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-penal-code/section-396/ -
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<blockquote cite="https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-penal-code/section-396/"><p>Whoever dumps an animal carcass that may become putrid and malodorous in or beside a public way shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand baht.</p><footer>Penal Code, s. 396 (Thailand): <a href="https://www.thailawonline.com/fr/thai-penal-code/section-396/">ThaiLawOnline</a></footer></blockquote>
The Thai text is authoritative. The English is an unofficial translation by ThaiLawOnline, free to reuse with attribution.