Section 220 — Court for arbitration-related disputes
Statutory text (Thai original)
ถ้ามีข้อพิพาทเกิดขึ้นเนื่องจากการดำเนินตามข้อตกลงเสนอข้อพิพาทให้อนุญาโตตุลาการชี้ขาด หรือมีข้อพิพาทกันว่า ข้อตกลงนั้นได้สิ้นสุดลงตามมาตราก่อนแล้วหรือหาไม่ ข้อพิพาทนั้นให้เสนอต่อศาลที่เห็นชอบด้วยข้อตกลงดังกล่าวแล้ว
English translation
If a dispute arises out of proceeding under the agreement to submit the dispute to the arbitrators for an award, or there is a dispute as to whether the agreement has come to an end under the preceding section or not, such dispute shall be submitted to the court that approved the said agreement.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
This section fixes venue for collateral disputes that arise around a court-connected arbitration. Two situations are covered: arguments about carrying out the arbitration agreement, and arguments about whether the agreement has terminated under Section 219. Both must be brought before the court that originally approved the arbitration agreement, keeping supervision of the arbitration in one place. It works together with Section 219, which sets out when the agreement ends, and Section 218, on how the court turns an award into a judgment.
Why this matters in practice
Do not open a fresh action in a different court to fight about the arbitration process; the correct forum is the court that approved the arbitration agreement, and filing elsewhere risks dismissal for want of jurisdiction. Track which court that is from the start of the arbitration. If a dispute over the arbitration has surfaced, a consultation with a Thai lawyer can confirm the proper court before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Which court hears a dispute about an arbitration agreement?
Under Section 220, the court that originally approved the arbitration agreement hears disputes over carrying it out or over whether it has ended.
Can I file the arbitration dispute in any court I choose?
No. Section 220 directs it to the specific court that approved the arbitration agreement, so filing elsewhere may be rejected for lack of jurisdiction.