Section 172 — Requirements of a complaint
Statutory text (Thai original)
ภายใต้บังคับบทบัญญัติมาตรา ๕๗ ให้โจทก์เสนอข้อหาของตนโดยทำคำฟ้องเป็นหนังสือยื่นต่อศาลชั้นต้นคำฟ้องต้องแสดงโดยแจ้งชัดซึ่งสภาพแห่งข้อหาของโจทก์และคำขอบังคับ ทั้งข้ออ้างที่อาศัยเป็นหลักแห่งข้อหาเช่นว่านั้นให้ศาลตรวจคำฟ้องนั้นแล้วสั่งให้รับไว้ หรือให้ยกเสียหรือให้คืนไป ตามที่บัญญัติไว้ในมาตรา ๑๘
English translation
Subject to the provisions of Section 57, the plaintiff shall present its claim by making a complaint in writing and filing it with the court of first instance. The complaint must clearly show the nature of the plaintiff's claim and the relief sought, together with the allegations relied on as the grounds of such claim. The court shall examine the complaint and then order that it be accepted, or dismissed, or returned, as provided in Section 18.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 172 states the core requirements of a complaint that opens ordinary proceedings. Subject to Section 57 on third-party joinder, the plaintiff must present the claim in a written complaint filed with the court of first instance. Paragraph two fixes the essential content: the nature of the claim, the relief sought, and the grounds relied on, all shown clearly, which is the test courts apply when deciding whether a pleading is sufficient. Paragraph three then routes the complaint through the court's screening power under Section 18, so the court may accept, dismiss, or return it, and may dismiss at the examination stage without first accepting it. Section 171 extends these requirements to petitions.
Why this matters in practice
A complaint that is vague about what happened, what you want, or why you are entitled can be dismissed or returned, so clarity on the nature of the claim, the relief, and the grounds is not optional. The court screens every complaint under Section 18 and can reject a defective one before it is even accepted. Because a well-pleaded complaint sets the boundaries of the whole case, it is worth having it drafted or reviewed by a Thai lawyer before filing.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 2120/2566 (2023)
A complaint that clearly shows the nature of the claim, the relief sought, and the grounds relied on complies with Section 172 paragraph two, even where the harm is a continuing one, such as pollution emitted while the defendant's factory operates.
The plaintiffs alleged continuing harm from carbon-black pollution emitted during the defendant's factory operations. The court held the complaint clearly showed the nature of the claim, the relief sought, and the supporting grounds, and so complied with Section 172 paragraph two, rejecting the defendant's argument to the contrary.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 1088/2566 (2023)
Under Section 18 read with Section 172 paragraph three, the court may dismiss a petition at the examination stage without first having to accept it.
The court held that the Central Bankruptcy Court could dismiss a business-rehabilitation petition at the examination stage without first accepting it, applying Section 18 read with Section 172 paragraph three. The lower courts' orders dismissing the petition were therefore lawful.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
What must a complaint contain in Thailand?
Under Section 172, a written complaint must clearly show the nature of the plaintiff's claim, the relief sought, and the allegations relied on as the grounds of the claim.
Can the court reject a complaint at the examination stage?
Yes. Under Section 172 paragraph three with Section 18, the court examines the complaint and may accept, dismiss, or return it, and may dismiss it at examination without first accepting it.