Section 69 — How to file with the court
Statutory text (Thai original)
การยื่นคำคู่ความ หรือเอกสารอื่นใดต่อศาลนั้น ให้กระทำได้โดยส่งต่อพนักงานเจ้าหน้าที่ของศาลหรือยื่นต่อศาลในระหว่างนั่งพิจารณา
English translation
The filing of a pleading or any other document with the court shall be done by delivering it to a court officer, or by submitting it to the court during the sitting for trial.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 69 states the accepted channels for getting a document before the court. A party either delivers it to a court officer, in practice the registry, or hands it to the court itself while the court is in session. The provision works alongside Section 68, which now permits electronic filing under Supreme Court regulations, so the two together define the routes by which a filing reaches the court. It is a short but foundational rule: a document not lodged by one of these means is not properly filed.
Why this matters in practice
In day to day practice this means filing at the court's registry counter during office hours, or handing a document to the bench during a hearing. Get a stamped copy or receipt so you can prove the date and time of filing, which can be decisive for a deadline. If your matter allows electronic filing under Section 68, the same need for proof applies. A short orientation on going to court in Thailand can help you avoid procedural missteps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a pleading with a Thai court?
Under Section 69 you deliver it to a court officer, in practice the registry, or you submit it to the court itself during the sitting for trial. Electronic filing may also be available under Section 68.
Can I hand a document to the judge during a hearing?
Yes. Section 69 expressly allows submitting a pleading or document to the court during the sitting for trial, in addition to filing it with a court officer at the registry.