Section 120/4 — Evidence by video conference
Statutory text (Thai original)
คู่ความฝ่ายใดฝ่ายหนึ่งอาจขอให้ศาลทำการสืบพยานบุคคลที่อยู่นอกศาลโดยระบบการประชุมทางจอภาพได้ โดยคู่ความฝ่ายที่อ้างพยานต้องเป็นผู้รับผิดชอบในเรื่องค่าใช้จ่าย หากศาลเห็นว่า เพื่อประโยชน์แห่งความยุติธรรมศาลจะอนุญาตตามคำร้องนั้นก็ได้ โดยให้ศาลดำเนินกระบวนพิจารณาไปตามข้อกำหนดแนวทางการสืบพยานของประธานศาลฎีกาโดยความเห็นชอบของที่ประชุมใหญ่ของศาลฎีกาที่ออกตามมาตรา ๑๐๓/๓ รวมทั้งระบุวิธีการสืบพยาน สถานที่ และสักขีพยานในการสืบพยานตามข้อกำหนดของประธานศาลฎีกาดังกล่าว และไม่ถือว่าค่าใช้จ่ายนั้นเป็นค่าฤชาธรรมเนียมในการดำเนินคดี
การเบิกความตามวรรคหนึ่งให้ถือว่าพยานเบิกความในห้องพิจารณาของศาล
English translation
Either party may request the court to take the evidence of a person who is outside the court by means of a video conference system, provided that the party citing the witness shall be responsible for the expenses. If the court considers that it is for the benefit of justice, it may grant such a request; in doing so, the court shall conduct the proceedings in accordance with the directions on guidelines for taking evidence issued by the President of the Supreme Court, with the approval of the plenary session of the Supreme Court, under Section 103/3, including specifying the method of taking evidence, the place, and the attesting witnesses to the taking of evidence in accordance with those directions of the President of the Supreme Court; and such expenses shall not be regarded as court fees in the conduct of the case.
Testimony under paragraph one shall be deemed testimony given in the courtroom of the court.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 120/4 authorises the taking of live witness evidence by video conference for a witness who is outside the court, a modern alternative to physical attendance and to the pre-filed written statements in Sections 120/1 and 120/2. Unlike a written statement, video evidence preserves real-time examination and cross-examination, which is why the closing paragraph deems it testimony given in the courtroom. The procedure is governed by directions issued by the President of the Supreme Court under Section 103/3, covering method, place, and attesting witnesses. The party calling the witness bears the cost, which is expressly excluded from court fees, so it cannot later be recovered as taxed costs. This provision reflects the digitalisation of Thai civil procedure.
Why this matters in practice
Video-link evidence is useful when a witness cannot travel but you still want them cross-examined live, for example a witness abroad or one who is unwell. Budget for it: the party calling the witness pays the cost and cannot recover it as court fees, so factor that into your planning alongside the firm's legal fees. Because the court applies the Supreme Court President's guidelines on how the session is run and who must attest it, arrange the technical set-up and the required attesting witnesses well in advance so the hearing is not derailed.
Frequently asked questions
Can a witness testify by video conference in a Thai civil case?
Yes. Under Section 120/4 a party may ask the court to take a witness's evidence by video conference, and if the court finds it serves justice it may allow it. The evidence counts as if given in the courtroom.
Who pays for taking evidence by video conference?
Section 120/4 makes the party who cites the witness responsible for the expenses, and it states that such expenses are not regarded as court fees, so they cannot be recovered as taxed costs.