Section 71 — Filing and serving an answer
Statutory text (Thai original)
คำให้การนั้น ให้ฝ่ายที่ให้การนำต้นฉบับยื่นไว้ต่อศาลพร้อมด้วยสำเนาสำหรับให้คู่ความอีกฝ่ายหนึ่งหรือคู่ความอื่น ๆ รับไปโดยทางเจ้าพนักงานศาลคำร้องเพื่อแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมคำให้การนั้น ให้เจ้าพนักงานศาลเป็นผู้ส่งให้คู่ความอีกฝ่ายหนึ่งหรือคู่ความอื่น ๆ โดยฝ่ายที่ยื่นคำร้องเป็นผู้มีหน้าที่จัดการนำส่ง
English translation
For an answer, the party filing the answer shall submit the original to the court together with a copy for the other party or the other parties to collect through a court officer. For a motion to amend or supplement the answer, the court officer shall serve it on the other party or the other parties, and the party filing the motion has the duty to arrange the delivery.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 71 sets the mechanics for the answer and for later amendments to it, complementing the general form requirements of Section 67 and the service rules that follow. For the answer itself, the burden on the filing party is light: lodge the original and a copy, and the other side collects the copy through the court officer. For a motion to amend or supplement the answer, however, the filing party carries the duty to arrange delivery even though the court officer is the one who serves it. The distinction matters because a failure to arrange delivery of the amendment motion can stall or defeat it.
Why this matters in practice
Watch the split of duties. When you amend an answer, do not assume the court will chase the other side for you: you must arrange delivery of the amendment motion, and neglecting it can cost you the amendment. Keeping proof of the copy filed and of delivery protects you if service is later disputed. If you are drafting or amending an answer under time pressure, a brief online consultation with a Thai lawyer can confirm the steps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file an answer in a Thai civil case?
Under Section 71 you submit the original answer to the court together with a copy that the other party collects through a court officer. The general form of the pleading must still meet Section 67.
Who delivers a motion to amend the answer?
A court officer serves the motion to amend or supplement the answer, but under Section 71 the party who filed the motion has the duty to arrange the delivery.