Section 107 — Taking evidence at the scene
Statutory text (Thai original)
ถ้าศาลเห็นว่าในการสืบสวนหาความจริงจำเป็นต้องไปสืบพยาน ณ สถานที่ซึ่งข้อเท็จจริงอันประสงค์จะให้พยานเบิกความนั้นได้เกิดขึ้น ให้ศาลหรือผู้พิพากษาที่รับมอบ หรือศาลที่ได้รับแต่งตั้งเพื่อการนั้นส่งหมายเรียกไปยังพยานระบุสถานที่และวันเวลาที่จะไปสืบพยาน แล้วสืบพยานไปตามนั้น
English translation
If the court is of the opinion that, in order to investigate the truth, it is necessary to take the evidence at the place where the facts on which the witness is to testify occurred, the court, the entrusted judge, or the court appointed for that purpose shall send a summons to the witness specifying the place, date and time at which the evidence will be taken, and shall take the evidence accordingly.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 107 empowers the court to relocate the examination of a witness to the site where the relevant facts occurred, when it considers that necessary to investigate the truth. It complements Section 102, which allows evidence to be taken outside the courtroom, by focusing specifically on scene-based testimony, and it may be exercised by the trial court, an entrusted judge, or an appointed court. The mechanism is the same summons as under Section 106, but with the place, date and time keyed to the scene. In practice it pairs a witness's account with the court's own observation of the location, which can be decisive in boundary, property, accident and nuisance disputes.
Why this matters in practice
If your case turns on physical features, a disputed boundary, the layout of an accident, the condition of a building, consider asking the court to take the witness's evidence at the scene under Section 107, since seeing the site can carry real weight. Prepare for a site examination as carefully as a courtroom one: confirm access, safety and the exact location in advance, and make sure the witness can point to and explain the relevant features. The summons will state the on-site place and time, so coordinate logistics for everyone attending.
Frequently asked questions
Can a witness be examined at the scene rather than in court?
Yes. Under Section 107, if the court considers it necessary to investigate the truth, it may take the witness's evidence at the place where the relevant facts occurred.
Who decides to take evidence at the scene?
The trial court, an entrusted judge, or an appointed court may decide it, on the view that a site examination is necessary to investigate the truth.
How is the witness told about a scene examination?
A summons is sent to the witness specifying the place, date and time at which the evidence will be taken at the scene, and the evidence is then taken accordingly.