Section 256 — Defendant's chance to object first
Statutory text (Thai original)
ในกรณีที่ยื่นคำขอให้ศาลมีคำสั่งตามมาตรา ๒๕๔
(๒) หรือ
(๓) ถ้าศาลเห็นว่าหากให้โอกาสจำเลยคัดค้านก่อนจะไม่เสียหายแก่โจทก์ ก็ให้ศาลแจ้งกำหนดวันนั่งพิจารณาพร้อมทั้งส่งสำเนาคำขอให้แก่จำเลยโดยทางเจ้าพนักงานศาล จำเลยจะเสนอข้อคัดค้านของตนในการที่ศาลนั่งพิจารณาคำขอนั้นก็ได้
English translation
Where an application is filed for the court to issue an order under Section 254(2) or (3), if the court is of the view that giving the defendant an opportunity to object beforehand will not cause harm to the plaintiff, the court shall notify the defendant of the date fixed for the hearing and shall serve a copy of the application on the defendant through a court officer. The defendant may present its objections at the hearing of the application by the court.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 256 tempers the ex parte nature of provisional measures by introducing an inter partes option for certain orders. It applies to applications under Section 254(2), which restrains a repeated or continuing wrong, and Section 254(3), which restrains registration dealings, but not to the asset removal cases under Section 254(1) or the arrest measure under Section 254(4), where surprise is often essential. The trigger is the court's assessment that hearing the defendant first will not prejudice the plaintiff. When that condition is met, service of the application and a fixed hearing date replace a purely one sided decision.
Why this matters in practice
For a defendant, Section 256 is the moment to marshal evidence against an interim restraint before it takes effect, so responding promptly to the served application and hearing notice matters. For a plaintiff, if speed and surprise are essential, framing the request under Section 254(1) or seeking an emergency order can avoid the advance notice this section allows. Because these hearings move quickly, parties often benefit from early advice on how Thai court proceedings work.
Frequently asked questions
Does the court always hear the defendant before granting an interim measure?
No. Under Section 256 the court may hear the defendant first only for orders under Section 254(2) or (3), and only if doing so will not harm the plaintiff. Measures under Section 254(1) and (4) can still be granted without prior notice.
How does the defendant learn of the application under Section 256?
The court fixes a hearing date and serves a copy of the application on the defendant through a court officer. The defendant may then present objections at that hearing.