Section 4 ter — Foreign defendant, cause arising abroad
Statutory text (Thai original)
คำฟ้องอื่นนอกจากที่บัญญัติไว้ในมาตรา ๔ ทวิ ซึ่งจำเลยมิได้มีภูมิลำเนาอยู่ในราชอาณาจักรและมูลคดีมิได้เกิดขึ้นในราชอาณาจักร ถ้าโจทก์เป็นผู้มีสัญชาติไทยหรือมีภูมิลำเนาอยู่ในราชอาณาจักร ให้เสนอต่อศาลแพ่งหรือต่อศาลที่โจทก์มีภูมิลำเนาอยู่ในเขตศาลคำฟ้องตามวรรคหนึ่ง ถ้าจำเลยมีทรัพย์สินที่อาจถูกบังคับคดีได้อยู่ในราชอาณาจักร ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการชั่วคราวหรือถาวร โจทก์จะเสนอคำฟ้องต่อศาลที่ทรัพย์สินนั้นอยู่ในเขตศาลก็ได้
English translation
A plaint other than those provided in Section 4 bis, where the defendant has no domicile in the Kingdom and the cause of action did not arise in the Kingdom, shall, if the plaintiff is of Thai nationality or has domicile in the Kingdom, be submitted to the Civil Court or to the court within whose territorial jurisdiction the plaintiff has domicile. For a plaint under paragraph one, if the defendant has property that may be subject to execution located in the Kingdom, whether temporarily or permanently, the plaintiff may submit the plaint to the court within whose territorial jurisdiction that property is located.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 4 ter completes the cross-border venue scheme of Chapter 1 by giving a Thai or Thailand-based plaintiff a forum even when both the defendant and the cause of action are outside the Kingdom. It expressly excludes claims already covered by Section 4 bis on immovable property. Paragraph two adds a further option, letting the plaintiff sue where the defendant has property that may be subject to execution, which links venue to the practical prospect of enforcement. The provision works together with Sections 3 and 4 to ensure that qualifying plaintiffs are not left without any Thai court in which to proceed.
Why this matters in practice
For a Thai national or a resident here who is wronged by someone based abroad, this section can be the route to a Thai forum. Suing where the defendant holds property in Thailand is often the most practical option, because a judgment is only as useful as the assets available to satisfy it. Advice on locating attachable assets before filing can shape both the choice of court and the odds of recovery. See our debt collection service for enforcement-focused strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Thai national sue a foreigner when everything happened abroad?
Yes. Under Section 4 ter, if the plaintiff is a Thai national or is domiciled in Thailand, they may sue in the Civil Court or the court of their own domicile even though the defendant and the cause of action are both outside the Kingdom.
Can I sue in Thailand where the defendant's assets are?
Under paragraph two of Section 4 ter, if the defendant has property that may be subject to execution located in Thailand, whether temporary or permanent, the plaintiff may file in the court where that property is located.