Section 236 — Sequestration of Witnesses at Trial
Statutory text (Thai original)
ในระหว่างพิจารณาศาลมีอำนาจสั่งให้ผู้ที่จะเป็นพยานซึ่งมิใช่จำเลย ออกไปอยู่ภายนอกห้องพิจารณาจนกว่าจะเข้ามาเบิกความ อนึ่งเมื่อพยานเบิกความแล้วจะให้รออยู่ในห้องพิจารณาก่อนก็ได้
English translation
During the trial, the court has power to order a person who is to be a witness, other than the defendant, to remain outside the courtroom until he comes in to give evidence. Moreover, after a witness has given evidence, the court may allow him to remain in the courtroom.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 236 gives the trial court a discretionary tool to keep the integrity of oral evidence under Book 5, Chapter 2. By ordering not-yet-heard witnesses to wait outside, the court prevents them from tailoring their testimony to what earlier witnesses have said. The defendant is expressly excluded from being sent out, consistent with his right to be present throughout his own trial. The power is discretionary, the court may also permit a witness who has finished to remain in the room, for example where his continued presence assists the proceedings.
Why this matters in practice
This matters for trial strategy: if you are running a case, you can ask the court to keep your opponent's witnesses out of the room until each testifies, reducing the risk that later witnesses simply echo earlier ones. Conversely, the defendant cannot be excluded and is entitled to hear all the evidence. Coordinating witnesses and timing their appearances is something your trial lawyer should plan in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Why are witnesses asked to wait outside the courtroom in Thailand?
Under Section 236, the court can order witnesses to stay outside until they testify so they do not hear other witnesses first and adjust their evidence accordingly.
Can the defendant be ordered to leave the courtroom under Section 236?
No. Section 236 applies only to persons who are to be witnesses. The defendant is expressly excluded and has the right to be present throughout the trial.