Section 4 sex — Court for property petitions, cause abroad
Statutory text (Thai original)
คำร้องขอเกี่ยวกับทรัพย์สินที่อยู่ในราชอาณาจักรก็ดี คำร้องขอที่หากศาลมีคำสั่งตามคำร้องขอนั้นจะเป็นผลให้ต้องจัดการหรือเลิกจัดการทรัพย์สินที่อยู่ในราชอาณาจักรก็ดี ซึ่งมูลคดีมิได้เกิดขึ้นในราชอาณาจักรและผู้ร้องไม่มีภูมิลำเนาอยู่ในราชอาณาจักร ให้เสนอต่อศาลที่ทรัพย์สินดังกล่าวอยู่ในเขตศาล
English translation
A petition concerning property located in the Kingdom, or a petition on which, if the court makes an order as sought, the effect would be to administer or to cease administering property located in the Kingdom, where the cause of action did not arise in the Kingdom and the petitioner has no domicile in the Kingdom, shall be submitted 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 sex closes a gap in Chapter 1 for non contentious petitions that concern property in Thailand when neither the cause of action nor the petitioner has any Thai connection. In that situation it anchors venue at the place where the property is located, which is the only sensible link to the Kingdom. It applies both to petitions directly concerning the property and to petitions whose granted order would require administering or ceasing to administer such property. The section complements Sections 4 ter and 4 quater by ensuring property based petitions with a foreign element still have a definite Thai forum.
Why this matters in practice
This is a niche but useful venue rule for foreign petitioners dealing with Thai assets, for example where an overseas party needs a Thai court order to manage or wind down property held here. Because it is the location of the property that gives the court its authority, identifying and documenting that property is the practical starting point. Cross border matters of this kind usually call for local advice. See our guide on going to court in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Where does a foreign petitioner file about property located in Thailand?
Under Section 4 sex, where the cause of action arose abroad and the petitioner has no Thai domicile, a petition concerning property in Thailand is filed in the court where that property is located.
Does this rule cover petitions to manage property in Thailand?
Yes. Section 4 sex covers petitions on which the court's order would administer or cease administering property located in the Kingdom, filed in the court where the property sits.