Section 84 — Basis for finding facts
Statutory text (Thai original)
การวินิจฉัยปัญหาข้อเท็จจริงในคดีใดจะต้องกระทำโดยอาศัยพยานหลักฐานในสำนวนคดีนั้น เว้นแต่
(๑) ข้อเท็จจริงซึ่งรู้กันอยู่ทั่วไป
(๒) ข้อเท็จจริงซึ่งไม่อาจโต้แย้งได้ หรือ
(๓) ข้อเท็จจริงที่คู่ความรับหรือถือว่ารับกันแล้วในศาล
English translation
The determination of a question of fact in any case shall be made on the basis of the evidence in the record of that case, except: (1) facts that are commonly known; (2) facts that cannot be disputed; or (3) facts that the parties have admitted, or are deemed to have admitted, in court.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 84 opens Chapter 1 on the general principles of evidence and states the core rule that findings of fact must rest on the evidence in the case record. It then lists three categories that need no proof: commonly known facts, indisputable facts, and facts admitted or deemed admitted in court. The third category links closely to the pleadings and to admissions made during the proceedings, while the second commonly arises where a final judgment binds the parties. Section 84 works together with Section 84/1 on the burden of proof and with Sections 85 to 87 on adducing and admitting evidence.
Why this matters in practice
For litigants this section shapes what you actually have to prove. Anything you admit in your pleadings or in court, or that is already settled by a binding final judgment, is off the table and cannot be re-argued, so admissions must be made carefully. Conversely, a disputed fact stands or falls on the evidence in the record, which is why building that record matters. To understand how facts are proved in a Thai courtroom, see what to know before you go to court in Thailand.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 1201/2567 (2024)
Under Section 84 (3), facts that the parties admit or are deemed to admit in court, such as the correctness of an agreed boundary map, are established without the need for further evidence, and an issue the parties have waived is treated accordingly.
In a boundary dispute the parties certified the correctness of the boundaries shown on the survey map and waived one of the framed issues. The Supreme Court examined, under Section 84 (3), whether the appellate court could still decide the waived issue, treating admitted facts of that kind as settled without further evidence.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 1399/2566 (2023)
Under Section 84 (3), facts that the parties admit or are deemed to admit during the proceedings and that the court recognizes must be taken as conclusively settled, and no evidence need be taken on them.
The court held that facts admitted or deemed admitted during the proceedings, and recognized by the court, must be accepted as final so that no further evidence is required on them. On that basis a survey map prepared before the taking of evidence, showing the parties' and the disputed boundaries, formed part of the settled record.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 740/2566 (2023)
Under Section 84 (2), a fact conclusively determined by a final judgment binding on the parties cannot be disputed, so a party may not assert facts contrary to that judgment.
A final civil judgment had determined that the complainant owned the land and house and that the defendant had committed a trespass by cutting the padlock. The court held that this binding judgment prevented the defendant from asserting contrary facts, being barred under Section 84 (2), applied through the Criminal Procedure Code, and it upheld the trespass conviction.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
What facts does a party not have to prove under Section 84?
Facts that are commonly known, facts that cannot be disputed, and facts the parties have admitted or are deemed to have admitted in court need no proof.
Can a party later dispute a fact it admitted in court?
No. Under Section 84 (3), a fact admitted or deemed admitted in court is settled and does not have to be, and generally cannot be, re-proved.