Section 155 — Applying Investigation Rules to Inquests
Statutory text (Thai original)
ให้นำบทบัญญัติในประมวลกฎหมายนี้อันว่าด้วยการสอบสวนมาใช้แก่การชันสูตรพลิกศพโดยอนุโลม
ให้นำบทบัญญัติในมาตรา ๑๗๒
ตรี มาใช้บังคับโดยอนุโลมแก่การไต่สวนของศาลตามมาตรา ๑๕๐
ในคดีที่พยานเป็นเด็กอายุไม่เกินสิบแปดปี
English translation
The provisions of this Code concerning investigation shall apply mutatis mutandis to inquests. The provisions of Section 172 ter shall apply mutatis mutandis to a court inquiry under Section 150 in a case where the witness is a child not exceeding eighteen years of age.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
This is a bridging provision in the inquest chapter. Its first limb imports the Code's general investigation rules into inquests by way of analogy, so that inquiries into a death follow the same basic procedure as an ordinary criminal investigation where applicable. Its second limb extends the child-witness protections of Section 172 ter to the judicial inquest inquiry under Section 150, which covers deaths in official custody or caused by officials. The child-witness cross-reference reflects later amendments aligning inquest procedure with protective questioning rules for minors.
Why this matters in practice
For families, this section is why an inquest is not a lawless process: the ordinary safeguards of an investigation apply, and a child who witnessed a death, for example a death in custody, must be questioned under the protective procedure of Section 172 ter rather than in open court. If your family is involved in an inquest inquiry, it is worth understanding these protections before any child gives evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Do ordinary investigation rules apply to an inquest in Thailand?
Yes. Section 155 applies the Code's investigation provisions to inquests mutatis mutandis, so an inquiry into a death follows the same basic procedure as a criminal investigation where relevant.
How are child witnesses questioned in an inquest inquiry?
Section 155 applies the child-witness safeguards of Section 172 ter to a court inquest inquiry under Section 150 whenever the witness is aged eighteen or under.