Section 281 — Time and manner of execution
Statutory text (Thai original)
เจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีจะต้องดำเนินการบังคับคดีในวันทำการงานปกติในเวลาระหว่างพระอาทิตย์ขึ้นและพระอาทิตย์ตก ถ้ายังไม่แล้วเสร็จประกอบกับมีความจำเป็นและสมควรจะกระทำต่อไปในเวลาหลังพระอาทิตย์ตกก็ได้
ในกรณีที่มีความจำเป็นและสมควร ศาลจะอนุญาตให้ดำเนินการบังคับคดีนอกวันทำการงานปกติหรือในเวลาหลังพระอาทิตย์ตกก็ได้
ในการดำเนินการบังคับคดีแก่ลูกหนี้ตามคำพิพากษา ให้เจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีแสดงหมายบังคับคดีให้ลูกหนี้ตามคำพิพากษา ผู้ครอบครองหรือผู้ดูแลทรัพย์สินที่จะถูกบังคับคดีทราบ ถ้าบุคคลดังกล่าวไม่อยู่หรือไม่อาจแสดงหมายบังคับคดีแก่บุคคลดังกล่าวได้ด้วยเหตุใด ๆ ให้เจ้าพนักงานบังคับคดีปิดสำเนาหมายบังคับคดีไว้ในที่แลเห็นได้ง่าย ณ สถานที่ที่ดำเนินการบังคับคดีนั้น ในกรณีเช่นว่านี้ ให้ถือว่าเป็นการแสดงหมายบังคับคดีให้บุคคลดังกล่าวทราบแล้ว
English translation
The executing officer shall carry out execution on ordinary working days during the time between sunrise and sunset. If it is not yet completed, and it is necessary and proper to continue, the officer may continue after sunset.
Where it is necessary and proper, the court may permit execution to be carried out outside ordinary working days or after sunset.
In carrying out execution against the judgment debtor, the executing officer shall show the writ of execution to the judgment debtor, the possessor, or the custodian of the property to be executed against. If such person is absent, or the writ cannot be shown to such person for any reason, the executing officer shall post a copy of the writ of execution in a conspicuous place at the place where the execution is carried out. In such a case, it shall be deemed that the writ of execution has been shown to such person.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 281 regulates when and how the executing officer may act, within Book 4, Title 2, Part 6. It sets the default working window, ordinary working days between sunrise and sunset, with a practical extension to continue after sunset where necessary to complete a task, and a court-permission route for execution outside working days or at night. The third paragraph builds in a notice safeguard: before executing, the officer must show the writ to the judgment debtor, possessor, or custodian, and if that person is absent or cannot be shown the writ, posting a copy conspicuously at the site is deemed to satisfy the requirement. Together these rules balance the officer's need to act effectively against basic notice and orderly-hours protections for those affected.
Why this matters in practice
Expect execution during normal daytime hours, but do not assume it stops at sunset: an officer may finish after dark, and the court can authorise night or non-working-day action where necessary. If you are a debtor, possessor, or custodian, the officer should show you the writ, and if you are not there, a posted copy counts as showing it, so being absent will not stall a seizure. For creditors dealing with property that is only accessible at certain times, remember that out-of-hours execution needs the court's leave. Knowing these limits helps set realistic expectations for a seizure or eviction during enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
When can the executing officer carry out execution?
Under Section 281, execution normally takes place on ordinary working days between sunrise and sunset. The officer may continue after sunset if needed to finish, and the court may allow execution on non-working days or at night where necessary and proper.
Must the officer show the writ of execution?
Yes. The officer must show the writ to the judgment debtor, possessor, or custodian of the property. If that person is absent or cannot be shown the writ, posting a copy conspicuously at the site is deemed to be showing it.