Section 100 — Controlling and searching persons present
Statutory text (Thai original)
ถ้ามีเหตุอันควรสงสัยว่าบุคคลซึ่งอยู่ในที่ซึ่งค้นหรือจะถูกค้น จะขัดขวางถึงกับทำให้การค้นไร้ผล เจ้าพนักงานผู้ค้นมีอำนาจเอาตัวผู้นั้นควบคุมไว้หรือให้อยู่ในความดูแลของเจ้าพนักงานในขณะที่ทำการค้นเท่าที่จำเป็นเพื่อมิให้ขัดขวางถึงกับทำให้การค้นนั้นไร้ผลถ้ามีเหตุอันควรสงสัยว่าบุคคลนั้นได้เอาสิ่งของที่ต้องการพบซุกซ่อนในร่างกาย เจ้าพนักงานผู้ค้นมีอำนาจค้นตัวผู้นั้นได้ดังบัญญัติไว้ตามมาตรา ๘๕
English translation
If there is reasonable cause to suspect that a person who is at the place being searched, or who is to be searched, will obstruct the search to the point of rendering it ineffective, the officer conducting the search has the power to take that person into control, or to keep him under the officer's supervision while the search is being conducted, only so far as is necessary to prevent obstruction that would render the search ineffective.
If there is reasonable cause to suspect that such person has concealed on his body the thing sought, the officer conducting the search has the power to search that person's body as provided in Section 85.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 100 gives officers two ancillary powers to keep a search effective under Chapter 2 (Search). The first paragraph permits temporary control or supervision of a person likely to obstruct, but expressly limits it to what is necessary. The second paragraph permits a body search of a person reasonably suspected of concealing the sought item, subject to the manner of search in Section 85 (which requires, among other things, that a woman be searched by a woman). Both powers turn on reasonable suspicion and necessity, not on convenience.
Why this matters in practice
Being held or body-searched during a search is lawful only where the officer reasonably suspects obstruction or concealment and acts within necessary limits. A body search must follow Section 85, so a woman is entitled to be searched by a woman. If you were detained or searched beyond what the situation required, that can be raised as an irregularity. See what to know before you go to court in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Can police detain me during a search of my home?
Only if there is reasonable cause to suspect you will obstruct the search enough to defeat it, and only so far as necessary to prevent that obstruction, under Section 100.
Can officers search my body during a search of the premises?
Yes, if they reasonably suspect you have hidden the sought item on your body; the search must follow Section 85, which requires that a woman be searched by a woman.