Section 193 quater — Court's evidence powers in small claims
Statutory text (Thai original)
ในคดีมโนสาเร่ เพื่อประโยชน์แห่งความยุติธรรมให้ศาลมีอำนาจเรียกพยานหลักฐานมาสืบได้เองตามที่เห็นสมควร
ในการสืบพยานไม่ว่าจะเป็นพยานที่คู่ความฝ่ายใดอ้างหรือที่ศาลเรียกมาเอง ให้ศาลเป็นผู้ซักถามพยานก่อน เสร็จแล้วจึงให้ตัวความหรือทนายความซักถามเพิ่มเติมได้
ให้ศาลมีอำนาจซักถามพยานเกี่ยวกับข้อเท็จจริงใด ๆ ที่เกี่ยวเนื่องกับคดี แม้จะไม่มีคู่ความฝ่ายใดยกขึ้นอ้างก็ตาม
ในการบันทึกคำเบิกความของพยาน เมื่อศาลเห็นสมควร จะบันทึกข้อความแต่โดยย่อก็ได้ แล้วให้พยานลงลายมือชื่อไว้
English translation
In a small claims case, in the interest of justice, the court shall have the power to summon evidence to be taken of its own motion as it thinks fit.
In taking evidence, whether of a witness adduced by any party or summoned by the court itself, the court shall question the witness first, and thereafter the party or the lawyer may put additional questions.
The court shall have the power to question a witness on any fact connected with the case, even though no party has raised it.
In recording the testimony of a witness, when the court thinks fit, it may record the substance only in summary form, and then have the witness sign it.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 193/4 shifts the small claims trial toward an inquisitorial model, in contrast to the party-led examination of ordinary procedure. The court may summon evidence of its own motion (paragraph one), leads the questioning of every witness with the parties limited to additional questions afterwards (paragraph two), may probe any connected fact even if unpleaded (paragraph three), and may take testimony in summary form (paragraph four). Together these powers let the judge control and shorten the hearing, serving the chapter's goals of speed and access to justice. They operate alongside sections 193 ter and 193 quinque, which manage the evidentiary stage and continuous hearing.
Why this matters in practice
Expect the judge, not the lawyers, to run the questioning in a small claim, and to probe issues you may not have raised. This makes the process quicker and more forgiving for self-represented parties, but it also means the outcome can turn on the judge's own inquiries. Bring every relevant document and be ready to answer directly. For an overview of how hearings run, see our guide on going to court in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Who questions witnesses in a small claims case?
Under section 193/4, the court questions each witness first, and only afterwards may the party or the lawyer put additional questions.
Can the court call its own evidence in a small claim?
Yes. Section 193/4 gives the court power to summon evidence of its own motion, in the interest of justice, as it thinks fit.