Section 178 — Persons Allowed in a Closed Courtroom
Statutory text (Thai original)
เมื่อมีการพิจารณาเป็นการลับ บุคคลเหล่านี้เท่านั้นมีสิทธิอยู่ในห้องพิจารณาได้ คือ
(๑) โจทก์และทนาย
(๒) จำเลยและทนาย
(๓) ผู้ควบคุมตัวจำเลย
(๔) พยานและผู้ชำนาญการพิเศษ
(๕) ล่าม
(๖) บุคคลผู้มีประโยชน์เกี่ยวข้องและได้รับอนุญาตจากศาล
(๗) พนักงานศาลและเจ้าหน้าที่รักษาความปลอดภัยแก่ศาลแล้วแต่จะเห็นสมควร
English translation
When a trial is held in camera, only the following persons have the right to be present in the courtroom, namely:
(1) the prosecutor and counsel;
(2) the defendant and counsel;
(3) the person having custody of the defendant;
(4) witnesses and experts;
(5) interpreters;
(6) persons having a related interest and permitted by the court;
(7) court officials and court security officers, as the court thinks fit.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 178 is the operative companion to Section 177: once a trial is ordered in camera, this section fixes exactly who may remain present. The list is exhaustive, covering both sides and their counsel, the officer holding the defendant in custody, witnesses and experts, interpreters, court staff and security, and only those interested persons the court expressly permits. By naming interpreters among those entitled to attend, it preserves a non-Thai-speaking party's ability to follow closed proceedings. The court retains discretion over interested persons under (6) and over staff under (7).
Why this matters in practice
For a foreign defendant, the key point is item (5): interpreters are expressly entitled to remain even in a closed trial, so language access is preserved. If you want a family member or other support person present, they fall under item (6) and need the court's specific permission, which should be requested in advance. Reliable interpretation is essential in these hearings; see our note on legal interpreters in Thai courtrooms.
Frequently asked questions
Who is allowed in the courtroom during a closed trial?
Section 178 lists them: the prosecutor and defendant with their counsel, the custody officer, witnesses and experts, interpreters, court-permitted interested persons, and court staff and security.
Can an interpreter attend a closed criminal trial?
Yes. Item (5) of Section 178 expressly entitles interpreters to be present, so a non-Thai-speaking party can still follow a trial held in camera.