Section 106 — Applying for a witness summons
Statutory text (Thai original)
ในกรณีที่คู่ความฝ่ายใดไม่สามารถนำพยานของตนมาศาลได้เอง คู่ความฝ่ายนั้นอาจขอต่อศาลก่อนวันสืบพยานให้ออกหมายเรียกพยานนั้นมาศาลได้ โดยศาลอาจให้คู่ความฝ่ายนั้นแถลงถึงความเกี่ยวพันของพยานกับข้อเท็จจริงในคดีอันจำเป็นที่จะต้องออกหมายเรียกพยานดังกล่าวด้วย และต้องส่งหมายเรียกพร้อมสำเนาคำแถลงของผู้ขอให้พยานรู้ล่วงหน้าอย่างน้อยสามวัน
หมายเรียกพยานต้องมีข้อความดังนี้
(๑) ชื่อและตำบลที่อยู่ของพยาน ชื่อคู่ความ ศาล และทนายความฝ่ายผู้ขอ
(๒) สถานที่และวันเวลาซึ่งพยานจะต้องไป
(๓) กำหนดโทษที่จะต้องรับในกรณีที่ไม่ไปตามหมายเรียกหรือเบิกความเท็จ
ถ้าศาลเห็นว่าพยานจะไม่สามารถเบิกความได้โดยมิได้ตระเตรียม ศาลจะจดแจ้งข้อเท็จจริงซึ่งพยานอาจถูกซักถามลงไว้ในหมายเรียกด้วยก็ได้
English translation
Where a party is unable to bring its witness to court by itself, that party may apply to the court, before the date of taking evidence, for a summons to be issued requiring that witness to attend court. The court may require that party to state the connection of the witness with the facts of the case that makes it necessary to issue the summons, and the summons, together with a copy of the applicant's statement, must be served so that the witness knows of it at least three days in advance.
A witness summons must contain the following particulars:
(1) the name and place of residence of the witness, the names of the parties, the court, and the counsel of the applying party;
(2) the place, date and time at which the witness must appear;
(3) the penalty to be incurred for failing to appear as summoned or for giving false testimony.
If the court is of the opinion that the witness will be unable to testify without preparation, the court may also record in the summons the facts on which the witness may be examined.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 106 governs compulsory attendance of witnesses through a court summons. A party who cannot secure a witness voluntarily may apply before the evidence date, and the court may require a statement of the witness's connection to the facts, screening out irrelevant or oppressive requests. Service must give the witness at least three days' notice, with a copy of the applicant's statement. Paragraph two prescribes the mandatory contents of the summons: identifying particulars, the place, date and time to appear, and a warning of the penalty for non-appearance or false testimony. The court may also note the facts on which the witness may be examined, so an unprepared witness can be ready. It works with Section 107 on on-site examination and Section 108 on the duty to attend.
Why this matters in practice
For any witness you cannot rely on to come voluntarily, an employee of the other side, a reluctant third party, an expert, apply for a summons in good time, since it must reach the witness at least three days before the hearing. Be ready to show the court why the witness matters to the facts, as a vague request can be refused. Get the details on the summons right, the correct address, date, time and warnings, because a defective or late-served summons can undermine your ability to compel attendance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a reluctant witness attend court?
Under Section 106 you apply to the court before the evidence date for a witness summons; if issued, it compels the witness to attend on the stated date and time.
How much advance notice does a witness get?
The summons, with a copy of the applicant's statement, must be served so the witness knows of it at least three days before the date to appear.
What must a witness summons contain?
It must state the witness's name and residence, the parties, court and applicant's counsel, the place, date and time to appear, and the penalty for not appearing or giving false testimony.