Section 222/10 — Class complaint contents and court fees
Statutory text (Thai original)
คำฟ้องของโจทก์ต้องทำเป็นหนังสือและแสดงโดยแจ้งชัดซึ่งสภาพแห่งข้อหา คำขอบังคับ รวมทั้งข้ออ้างที่อาศัยเป็นหลักแห่งข้อหาของโจทก์และของกลุ่มบุคคลที่มีลักษณะเดียวกับโจทก์ด้วย และในกรณีที่โจทก์มีคำขอบังคับให้จำเลยชำระหนี้เป็นเงิน คำขอบังคับของกลุ่มบุคคลต้องระบุหลักการและวิธีการคำนวณเพื่อชำระเงินให้แก่สมาชิกกลุ่มเท่าที่จะระบุได้ แต่ไม่จำเป็นต้องแสดงจำนวนเงินที่สมาชิกกลุ่มแต่ละรายจะได้รับด้วย
ในการดำเนินคดีแบบกลุ่ม ให้โจทก์ผู้เริ่มคดีเสียค่าขึ้นศาลตามคำขอบังคับเฉพาะในส่วนของโจทก์ผู้เริ่มคดีเท่านั้น
English translation
The plaintiff's complaint must be made in writing and clearly state the nature of the claim, the demand for relief, together with the allegations relied upon as the basis of the claim of the plaintiff and of the group of persons having the same characteristics as the plaintiff. In the case where the plaintiff seeks an order requiring the defendant to pay a debt in money, the demand of the group of persons must specify the principle and the method of calculation for payment to group members as far as it can be specified, but it is not necessary to state the amount of money that each group member will receive.
In conducting a class action, the plaintiff who initiates the case shall pay court fees according to the demand for relief only in the part relating to the plaintiff who initiates the case.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
This provision opens Part 2 on obtaining permission to proceed as a class action and defines what a class complaint must contain. It builds on the ordinary pleading rules but adds a class dimension: the complaint must frame the claim for both the named plaintiff and the group sharing the same characteristics. The rule allowing a collective calculation method, rather than itemised amounts, reflects the reality that members are often unidentified at filing. The final paragraph is a decisive access to justice feature: the lead plaintiff funds only its own court fee, removing the prohibitive cost of paying ad valorem fees on the entire group's aggregate claim.
Why this matters in practice
The court fee rule is the practical engine of Thai class actions. In an ordinary money claim, court fees are charged as a percentage of the amount claimed, which for a large group could be ruinous; here the lead plaintiff pays only on its own slice, making group litigation financially viable. If you are a consumer or investor considering a group claim, the drafting of the calculation method in the complaint is critical, because a vague or unworkable formula can sink certification later. Our litigators can assess whether your dispute fits the class model before you file. See our guide to going to court in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Does the lead plaintiff in a Thai class action pay court fees on the whole group's claim?
No. Under Section 222/10, the plaintiff who initiates the case pays court fees only on its own individual portion of the claim, not on the aggregate claim of the entire group.
Must a class complaint state exactly how much each group member will receive?
No. It must specify the principle and method for calculating payments to members as far as possible, but it need not state the exact amount each individual member will receive.