Section 120/2 — Written statement of a maker abroad
Statutory text (Thai original)
เมื่อคู่ความมีคำร้องร่วมกันและศาลเห็นสมควร ศาลอาจอนุญาตให้เสนอบันทึกถ้อยคำยืนยันข้อเท็จจริงหรือความเห็นของผู้ให้ถ้อยคำซึ่งมีถิ่นที่อยู่ในต่างประเทศต่อศาลแทนการนำพยานบุคคลมาเบิกความต่อหน้าศาลได้ แต่ทั้งนี้ ไม่ตัดสิทธิผู้ให้ถ้อยคำที่จะมาศาลเพื่อให้การเพิ่มเติม
สำหรับลายมือชื่อของผู้ให้ถ้อยคำให้นำมาตรา ๔๗ วรรคสาม มาใช้บังคับโดยอนุโลม
English translation
When the parties file a joint motion and the court sees fit, the court may permit the submission of a written statement affirming the facts or opinions of a maker who resides in a foreign country, in place of bringing that person to testify as a witness in the presence of the court; provided that this does not deprive the maker of the right to attend court to give additional testimony.
As for the signature of the maker, the third paragraph of Section 47 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 120/2 addresses the practical difficulty of witnesses located outside Thailand by allowing a written statement to stand in for personal attendance, but only where both parties join in the request, a stricter condition than the single-party motion permitted under Section 120/1. This joint-consent requirement reflects the fact that a foreign-based maker may be beyond the court's reach for cross-examination. The maker nevertheless retains the option to attend and supplement their evidence. The cross-reference to the third paragraph of Section 47 imports the Code's rules on authenticating the signature of a person abroad, guarding against forged or unverified statements. It sits within the group of provisions, Sections 120/1 to 120/4, modernising the reception of witness evidence.
Why this matters in practice
This route only works if the other side agrees, so if you have an important witness overseas, raise the idea early and try to secure the opponent's cooperation, or plan for alternatives such as video-link evidence. Make sure the maker's signature is authenticated in line with Section 47, because a statement from abroad can be attacked on that ground. Cross-border evidence is fiddly, and coordinating it well is one reason to get an online consultation with a Thai lawyer before the hearing timetable is fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Can a witness who lives abroad give evidence without coming to Thailand?
Yes. Under Section 120/2, if both parties jointly ask and the court agrees, a maker residing abroad may give evidence by written statement instead of attending, though they keep the right to attend and add to it.
Does the other party have to agree to a foreign witness's written statement?
Yes. Section 120/2 requires a joint motion by the parties, unlike the single-party motion allowed for domestic written statements under Section 120/1.