Section 1420
Statutory text (Thai original)
เมื่อสิทธิเก็บกินสิ้นลง ผู้ทรงสิทธิต้องส่งทรัพย์สินคืนแก่เจ้าของถ้าทรัพย์สินสลายไป หรือเสื่อมราคาลง ผู้ทรงสิทธิเก็บกินต้องรับผิด เว้นแต่จะพิสูจน์ได้ว่าความเสียหายนั้นมิได้เกิดขึ้นเพราะความผิดของตนถ้าผู้ทรงสิทธิเก็บกินใช้ทรัพย์สินสิ้นเปลืองไปโดยมิชอบ ท่านว่าต้องทำให้มีมาแทนถ้าทรัพย์สินเสื่อมราคาเพราะการใช้ตามควรไซร้ ท่านว่าผู้ทรงสิทธิเก็บกินไม่จำต้องให้ค่าทดแทน
Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State
English translation
When usufruct comes to an end, the usufructuary must return the property to the owner. feedback (/form/1-samuiforsale-contact-form.html?tmpl=component) / The usufructuary is liable for the destruction or depreciation in value of the property, unless he proves that the damage was not caused by his fault. He must replace anything which he has wrongfully consumed. He is not bound to give compensation for depreciation in value caused by reasonable use.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 1420 is part of Book 4 (Property) of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code. This entry is awaiting firm-authored commentary; the statutory text above is verbatim from the Office of the Council of State (OCS Krisdika) Thai source, with the English translation from the FAO/UN FAOLEX repository. Always rely on the Thai original for legal proceedings.
Why this matters in practice
Lawyers: liability under section 1420 requires proof of the usufructuary's fault; deterioration from fair use or natural aging is not compensable. An inventory taken at the start of the usufruct is essential evidence for this comparison at termination. Laypersons: when your usufruct ends, you must give the property back; if you damaged it beyond normal wear and tear, you owe the owner compensation. Keep records of the property's condition when you received it.
Legislative history
Part of the original Civil and Commercial Code codification; no major subsequent amendment.