Section 8 — Consolidating related cases in two courts
Statutory text (Thai original)
ถ้าคดีสองเรื่องซึ่งมีประเด็นอย่างเดียวกันหรือเกี่ยวเนื่องใกล้ชิดกัน อยู่ในระหว่างพิจารณาของศาลชั้นต้นที่มีเขตอำนาจสองศาลต่างกัน และศาลทั้งสองนั้นได้ยกคำร้องทั้งหลายที่ได้ยื่นต่อศาลขอให้คดีทั้งสองได้พิจารณาพิพากษารวมในศาลเดียวกันนั้นเสีย ตราบใดที่ศาลใดศาลหนึ่งยังมิได้พิพากษาคดีนั้น ๆ คู่ความฝ่ายใดฝ่ายหนึ่งจะยื่นคำขอโดยทำเป็นคำร้องต่ออธิบดีผู้พิพากษาศาลอุทธรณ์ เพื่อขอให้มีคำสั่งให้ศาลใดศาลหนึ่งจำหน่ายคดีซึ่งอยู่ในระหว่างพิจารณานั้นออกเสียจากสารบบความ หรือให้โอนคดีไปยังอีกศาลหนึ่งก็ได้ แล้วแต่กรณีคำสั่งใด ๆ ของอธิบดีผู้พิพากษาศาลอุทธรณ์เช่นว่านี้ให้เป็นที่สุด
English translation
If two cases having the same issue or closely connected issues are pending before two different courts of first instance that have jurisdiction, and both courts have dismissed all motions filed asking that the two cases be tried and adjudicated together in one court, then, so long as neither court has yet given judgment in the case, either party may submit an application, made by motion, to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, asking for an order that one of the courts strike the case pending before it off the case list, or that it transfer the case to the other court, as the case may be. Any such order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal shall be final.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 8 provides a mechanism to prevent two first instance courts from separately trying cases that raise the same or closely connected issues, which risks duplicated effort and inconsistent judgments. It applies only after the ordinary route has failed, that is, after both courts have dismissed motions to have the cases heard together. While neither case has been decided, a party may apply to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal for an order that one court strike its case off the list or transfer it to the other, and that order is final. The section is closely paired with Section 9, which addresses the situation once one of the cases has already been decided and appealed.
Why this matters in practice
If you find yourself, or your opponent, running two overlapping cases in different courts, this section is the tool to force them together and avoid conflicting outcomes, but note the sequence: you first have to try the ordinary consolidation motion in both courts, and only after both refuse can you go to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal. Timing also matters, because the application must come before either court gives judgment. Coordinating overlapping litigation is best planned early. See our guide on going to court in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Can two related cases in different Thai courts be combined?
Yes. Under Section 8, if both courts have refused motions to hear the cases together and neither has given judgment, a party may ask the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal to have one court strike or transfer its case.
What must happen before applying to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal under Section 8?
Both courts must first have dismissed motions asking that the two cases be tried together, and neither court may yet have given judgment. Only then can a party apply, and the Chief Judge's order is final.