Section 222/18 — Bar on separate suits by members
Statutory text (Thai original)
ห้ามมิให้สมาชิกกลุ่มที่ไม่ได้ออกจากการเป็นสมาชิกกลุ่มตามมาตรา ๒๒๒/๑๖ ยื่นฟ้องจำเลยในเรื่องเดียวกันกับที่โจทก์ได้ยื่นฟ้อง
ในกรณีที่สมาชิกกลุ่มที่ไม่ได้ออกจากการเป็นสมาชิกกลุ่มได้ยื่นฟ้องคดีไว้ก่อนสิ้นกำหนดระยะเวลาของการออกจากสมาชิกกลุ่ม ให้ศาลที่ได้รับฟ้องไว้นั้นมีคำสั่งจำหน่ายคดีออกจากสารบบความ
English translation
A group member who has not opted out of group membership under Section 222/16 is prohibited from filing suit against the defendant on the same matter as that on which the plaintiff has filed.
In the case where a group member who has not opted out of group membership has filed a case before the expiration of the period for opting out of group membership, the court that received such complaint shall issue an order to strike the case off the case list.
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 prevents duplicate litigation and protects the integrity of the class judgment. Because a member who does not opt out will be bound by the class result, allowing that member to also run a private suit on the same matter would risk conflicting judgments and double recovery. The section therefore bars the parallel suit outright, and directs any court already seized of such a member's individual case to strike it off once the member remains in the class past the opt out deadline. It dovetails with Section 222/16: a member who wants to litigate independently must exercise the opt out right in time.
Why this matters in practice
If you fall within a certified class and also have your own lawsuit on the same facts, you face a clear fork: either opt out in time to keep your private case alive, or stay in and let your separate suit be struck off. You cannot pursue both. This matters most where your individual claim is stronger or larger than the group's, in which case opting out to preserve your own debt or damages claim may be the better strategy. The decision is time sensitive and tied to the opt out deadline, so take advice before that window closes.
Frequently asked questions
Can a class member also file their own lawsuit in Thailand?
No. Under Section 222/18 a member who does not opt out cannot sue the defendant separately on the same matter. To litigate on your own you must opt out of the class within the deadline.
What happens to a member's existing lawsuit once the class is certified?
If the member stays in the class past the opt out deadline, Section 222/18 requires the court handling that separate case to strike it off the case list.