Section 222/24 — Forming sub-groups
Statutory text (Thai original)
ไม่ว่าการพิจารณาคดีจะได้ดำเนินไปแล้วเพียงใด ศาลอาจมีคำสั่งให้มีการแบ่งกลุ่มย่อยเนื่องจากมีลักษณะของความเสียหายที่แตกต่างกันระหว่างบุคคลในกลุ่ม และในกรณีเช่นนี้ศาลอาจสั่งให้มีการนำสืบถึงความเสียหายของกลุ่มย่อยให้ชัดเจนด้วยก็ได้ คำสั่งของศาลให้เป็นที่สุด
English translation
No matter how far the trial has already proceeded, the court may issue an order for the formation of sub-groups on account of differing characteristics of damage among the persons in the group. In such a case, the court may also order that the damage of the sub-groups be proven clearly. The court's order shall be final.
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 gives the court flexibility to manage a class whose members are not uniform in their injuries. Because a single group may contain members with materially different kinds of damage, the court can carve out sub-groups at any point in the trial and direct that each sub-group's damage be proven distinctly, which sharpens the assessment of relief. The power is deliberately open ended as to timing (no matter how far the trial has gone) and its exercise is final, giving the court an efficient, unappealable case management tool to keep the class both cohesive and fair on damages.
Why this matters in practice
Sub-grouping matters most where members' losses vary, for example different amounts or different heads of damage, because it can change how and what each part of the class must prove. If you are a member or a defendant, watch for a sub-grouping order, since it may reshape the damages inquiry and the evidence you need to bring, and it cannot be appealed. Plaintiffs should anticipate this from the outset by pleading damage clearly enough to support natural sub-groups, which also helps at the certification stage under Section 222/12. Our litigators can help structure a damages case that survives sub-grouping.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Thai court divide a class into sub-groups?
Yes. Under Section 222/24 the court may form sub-groups at any stage of the trial where members have suffered different kinds of damage, and may order each sub-group's damage to be proven clearly.
Can an order forming sub-groups be appealed?
No. Section 222/24 provides that the court's order to form sub-groups is final, so it cannot be appealed.