Section 98 — Party-called expert witnesses
Statutory text (Thai original)
คู่ความฝ่ายใดฝ่ายหนึ่งจะอ้างบุคคลใดเป็นพยานของตนก็ได้เมื่อบุคคลนั้นเป็นผู้มีความรู้เชี่ยวชาญในศิลปะ วิทยาศาสตร์ การฝีมือ การค้า หรือการงานที่ทำหรือในกฎหมายต่างประเทศ และซึ่งความเห็นของพยานอาจเป็นประโยชน์ในการวินิจฉัยชี้ขาดข้อความในประเด็น ทั้งนี้ ไม่ว่าพยานจะเป็นผู้มีอาชีพในการนั้นหรือไม่
English translation
A party may call any person as its witness where that person has expert knowledge in an art, a science, a craft, trade, or the work performed, or in foreign law, and where the opinion of the witness may be of use in deciding the matters in issue, whether or not the witness follows that occupation as a profession.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 98 lets a party present its own expert opinion evidence, distinct from a court-appointed expert under Sections 99, 129, and 130. The witness must have specialist knowledge in a relevant art, science, craft, trade, occupation, or in foreign law, and the opinion must be capable of assisting the decision on the issues. Notably, formal professional status is not required, what matters is genuine expertise useful to the case. This party-called expert is one of the categories a party must disclose in its list of witnesses under Section 88, and the court remains free to weigh the opinion against other evidence.
Why this matters in practice
When a case turns on a technical point, handwriting, accounting, engineering, medical causation, or the content of a foreign law, a well-chosen expert can be decisive, and Section 98 lets you call your own rather than wait for a court appointment. List the expert in your list of witnesses in good time, prepare a clear written opinion, and be ready for the court to weigh it against the other side's evidence. For matters governed by foreign law, an expert on that law is often essential.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my own expert witness, not one appointed by the court?
Yes. Section 98 allows a party to call its own expert in a relevant field, or in foreign law, whose opinion may help decide an issue.
Does my expert need a professional license or title?
No. Section 98 says the expertise is what matters, whether or not the person practices that field as a profession.
How do I use an expert on foreign law?
Call the expert as your witness under Section 98 and list them in your list of witnesses, so the court can consider their opinion on the content of the foreign law.