Section 199 bis — Serving execution on defaulting defendant
Statutory text (Thai original)
เมื่อศาลพิพากษาให้จำเลยที่ขาดนัดยื่นคำให้การแพ้คดี ศาลอาจกำหนดการอย่างใด ตามที่เห็นสมควรเพื่อส่งคำบังคับตามคำพิพากษาหรือคำสั่งให้แก่จำเลยที่ขาดนัดยื่นคำให้การ โดยวิธีส่งหมายธรรมดาหรือโดยวิธีอื่นแทน หรือศาลจะให้เลื่อนการบังคับตามคำพิพากษาหรือคำสั่งเช่นว่านั้นไปภายในระยะเวลาที่ศาลเห็นสมควรก็ได้
การบังคับตามคำพิพากษาหรือคำสั่งแก่จำเลยที่ขาดนัดยื่นคำให้การนั้นให้บังคับตามมาตรา ๒๗๓ มาตรา ๒๘๙ และมาตรา ๓๓๘
English translation
When the court renders a judgment against a defendant who is in default of answer, the court may make such arrangements as it thinks fit for serving the writ of execution under the judgment or order upon the defendant in default of answer, by ordinary service or by other substituted means, or the court may postpone execution of such judgment or order within such period as it thinks fit.
Execution of the judgment or order against a defendant who is in default of answer shall be carried out in accordance with Section 273, Section 289, and Section 338.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 199 bis governs how a default judgment is enforced against the defendant who never answered. It gives the court flexibility over service of the writ of execution, allowing ordinary or substituted service, and a power to postpone enforcement for a fixed period. This flexibility is significant because the date of service of the writ starts the clock for the defendant's application for a new trial under Section 199 quater. The second paragraph ties enforcement to the Code's general execution provisions, Sections 273, 289, and 338, so a default judgment is enforced by the same machinery as any other, once served.
Why this matters in practice
For a winning plaintiff, note that how and when the writ of execution is served on the defaulting defendant matters, because that service date starts the defendant's window to seek a new trial. For a defendant who has lost by default, watch for the writ carefully: the clock to challenge the judgment runs from when it is served on you. Enforcement itself, such as seizure of assets, follows the general rules and can benefit from experienced execution and debt recovery support.
Frequently asked questions
How is a default judgment enforced against a defendant who never answered?
Under Section 199 bis, the court may arrange service of the writ of execution by ordinary or substituted means and may postpone enforcement, which then proceeds under the general execution rules in Sections 273, 289, and 338.
Why does the date of serving the writ of execution matter?
Because the defendant's fifteen-day period to apply for a new trial under Section 199 quater runs from the date the writ of execution is served on the defaulting defendant.