Section 154 — Deposit for enforcement expenses
Statutory text (Thai original)
เจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีมีอำนาจที่จะสั่งให้เจ้าหนี้ผู้ขอบังคับคดีวางเงินค่าใช้จ่าย เพื่อปฏิบัติตามวิธีการเพื่อคุ้มครองสิทธิของคู่ความในระหว่างการพิจารณา หรือวางเงินค่าใช้จ่ายเพื่อบังคับให้เป็นไปตามคำพิพากษาหรือคำสั่งได้ตามจำนวนที่เห็นจำเป็นถ้าเจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีเห็นว่าจำนวนเงินที่วางไว้นั้นจะไม่พอ ก็ให้แจ้งให้เจ้าหนี้ผู้ขอบังคับคดีวางเงินเพิ่มขึ้นอีกได้
ถ้าเจ้าหนี้ผู้ขอบังคับคดีเห็นว่าการวางเงินตามวรรคหนึ่งไม่จำเป็นหรือมากเกินไป ก็อาจยื่นคำร้องต่อศาลภายในเจ็ดวันนับแต่วันที่ได้รับแจ้งเพื่อขอให้ศาลมีคำสั่งได้ คำสั่งดังกล่าวให้เป็นที่สุด
ถ้าเจ้าหนี้ผู้ขอบังคับคดีไม่ปฏิบัติตามวรรคหนึ่งหรือไม่ปฏิบัติตามคำสั่งศาลตามวรรคสอง ให้เจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีงดการบังคับคดีไว้จนกว่าเจ้าหนี้ผู้ขอบังคับคดีนั้นจะได้ปฏิบัติตามคำสั่งของเจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีหรือศาล แล้วแต่กรณี
บทบัญญัติมาตรานี้ให้ใช้บังคับแก่เจ้าหนี้ผู้เข้าดำเนินการบังคับคดีต่อไปตามมาตรา ๓๒๗ และมาตรา ๓๒๙
(๒) โดยอนุโลม
English translation
The enforcement officer has the power to order the creditor who applies for enforcement to deposit money for expenses, in order to carry out a measure for protecting the rights of the parties during the proceedings, or to deposit money for expenses to enforce a judgment or order, in the amount the officer considers necessary. If the enforcement officer considers that the sum deposited will be insufficient, the officer may notify the creditor who applies for enforcement to deposit an additional amount.
If the creditor who applies for enforcement considers that the deposit under paragraph one is unnecessary or excessive, that creditor may file an application with the court within seven days from the day of being notified, for the court to make an order. Such order shall be final.
If the creditor who applies for enforcement does not comply with paragraph one, or does not comply with the court's order under paragraph two, the enforcement officer shall stay the enforcement until the creditor who applies for enforcement has complied with the order of the enforcement officer or of the court, as the case may be.
The provisions of this section shall apply mutatis mutandis to a creditor who takes over the continued enforcement under Section 327 and Section 329 (2).
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 154 lets the enforcement officer require the creditor who applies for enforcement to fund the expenses of enforcement or of an interim protective measure, in the amount the officer thinks necessary, with power to call for a top-up. Paragraph two gives the creditor a short, seven-day route to challenge the demand as unnecessary or excessive before the court, whose order is final. Paragraph three supplies the sanction, a stay of enforcement until the deposit is made, and paragraph four extends the section to a creditor continuing enforcement under Section 327 or Section 329 (2). The provision complements Section 153, which fixes the creditor as the party bearing enforcement costs, by giving the officer a practical means to secure those costs in advance. The current wording, which ties the deposit to the amount the officer considers necessary, replaced an earlier fixed-cap version, so pre-reform decisions should be read with care.
Why this matters in practice
If you are enforcing a judgment, expect the enforcement officer to ask you to deposit the expected costs before acting, and to ask for more if the estimate runs short. If the amount looks unjustified or inflated, do not simply refuse, because non-payment stays the enforcement, instead file your objection with the court within seven days, remembering the court's ruling is final. Keeping ready funds for these deposits avoids delay in seizing or attaching a debtor's assets.
Frequently asked questions
Can the enforcement officer make me deposit money before enforcing?
Yes. Section 154 lets the enforcement officer order the creditor applying for enforcement to deposit the expenses considered necessary, and to deposit more if the sum runs short.
What if I think the enforcement deposit is too high?
Section 154 paragraph two lets you file an application with the court within seven days of being notified to challenge the deposit as unnecessary or excessive. The court's order on that application is final.
What happens if I do not deposit the enforcement expenses?
Under Section 154 paragraph three the enforcement officer stays the enforcement until you comply with the officer's or the court's order.