Section 209 — Rendering and Reading Appellate Judgment
Statutory text (Thai original)
ให้ศาลอุทธรณ์พิพากษาโดยมิชักช้า และจะอ่านคำพิพากษาที่ศาลอุทธรณ์ หรือส่งไปให้ศาลชั้นต้นอ่านก็ได้
English translation
The Court of Appeal shall render judgment without delay, and it may read the judgment at the Court of Appeal or send it to the court of first instance to be read.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 209 states two things: a duty on the Court of Appeal to decide without delay, and a choice of venue for reading the judgment, either at the Court of Appeal or by sending it to the court of first instance to be read. In practice the appellate judgment is usually sent down and read at the trial court, which is more convenient for the parties. When that happens, it is the trial court's duty to arrange the reading in accordance with Section 182, and the appellate judgment takes effect on that reading. The choice of where to read does not affect the substance or validity of the judgment.
Why this matters in practice
Practically, you will usually hear the Court of Appeal's decision read at the same trial court where your case began, not in Bangkok, so watch for the reading date set by the trial court and make sure you or your lawyer attend or are properly represented. The judgment generally takes effect from the reading, which starts the clock for any further step such as a dika. Because a missed reading can have consequences, keep your contact and service details current with the trial court. If you expect an appellate judgment and want to be ready for the next step, consider a consultation with a Thai lawyer.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 2609/2539 (1996)
When the Court of Appeal finishes its judgment and sends it with the file to the court of first instance to be read under Section 209, it is the duty of the trial court to arrange the reading of the appellate judgment in accordance with Section 182.
The Court of Appeal sent its completed judgment and the file to the trial court for reading. The Supreme Court confirmed that under Section 209 the trial court then had the duty to have the appellate judgment read to the parties as required by Section 182, noting that repeated postponements and partial payment were new facts not compelling any particular course.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
Where is a Court of Appeal judgment read?
Under Section 209 the Court of Appeal may read the judgment itself or send it to the court of first instance to be read. In practice it is usually read at the trial court where the case began.
Who arranges the reading when the judgment is sent to the trial court?
When the Court of Appeal sends the judgment down under Section 209, it is the trial court's duty to arrange the reading to the parties in accordance with Section 182.