Section 222/32 — Factors for approving withdrawal or settlement
Statutory text (Thai original)
ในการพิจารณามีคำสั่งตามมาตรา ๒๒๒/๒๘ มาตรา ๒๒๒/๒๙ หรือมาตรา ๒๒๒/๓๐ ให้ศาลคำนึงถึง
(๑) ความจำเป็นในการดำเนินคดีแบบกลุ่มต่อไป
(๒) ความคุ้มครองหรือประโยชน์ของสมาชิกกลุ่ม
(๓) ความยุ่งยากหรือความสะดวกในการดำเนินคดีแบบกลุ่มต่อไป
(๔) ความเป็นธรรมและความมีประสิทธิภาพในการดำเนินคดีแบบกลุ่มต่อไป
(๕) จำนวนของสมาชิกกลุ่มที่คัดค้าน
(๖) ความสามารถของจำเลยในการชดใช้ค่าเสียหายในกรณีมีการตกลงกันหรือประนีประนอมยอมความกันในประเด็นแห่งคดี
(๗) การตกลงกันหรือประนีประนอมยอมความกันในประเด็นแห่งคดีของคู่ความมีความเป็นธรรมและเป็นประโยชน์กับสมาชิกกลุ่ม
English translation
In considering an order under section 222/28, section 222/29 or section 222/30, the court shall take into account:
(1) the necessity of continuing the class action;
(2) the protection or the interest of the group members;
(3) the difficulty or the convenience of continuing the class action;
(4) the fairness and efficiency of continuing the class action;
(5) the number of group members who object;
(6) the defendant's ability to pay damages in the case of an agreement or a compromise settlement on the issues of the case;
(7) whether the agreement or the compromise settlement on the issues of the case between the parties is fair and beneficial to the group members.
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 supplies the substantive standard the court uses when exercising the approval powers in sections 222/28 (withdrawal), 222/29 (settlement) and 222/30 (arbitration). It shifts the focus from the parties' wishes to the collective interest of the absent group, listing seven considerations that blend efficiency (necessity, convenience, fairness and efficiency of continuing) with member protection (their interest, the number objecting, and the fairness and benefit of a settlement). Factor (6) on the defendant's ability to pay guards against approving a settlement the defendant cannot honor. Together the factors give the trial court a structured, fairness-driven discretion and are the practical yardstick against which objections filed under the notice procedure are measured.
Why this matters in practice
If you are objecting to a class settlement or withdrawal, frame your objection around these seven factors, especially whether the deal is fair and beneficial to the group and whether the defendant can actually pay. A large number of objecting members carries weight under factor (5), so coordinated, well-documented objections are more persuasive than isolated complaints. Defendants proposing a settlement should be ready to demonstrate fairness and their capacity to pay. Because the court's discretion here is broad, presenting the factors clearly with evidence is where experienced litigation counsel adds value.
Frequently asked questions
How does a court decide whether to approve a class action settlement?
Under section 222/32 the court weighs seven factors, including the group members' interest, the number who object, the defendant's ability to pay, and whether the settlement is fair and beneficial to the group.
Does the number of members who object matter?
Yes. The number of group members who object is one of the seven factors in section 222/32, so a large volume of objections can weigh against approving a withdrawal or settlement.