Section 52 — Summons to appear
Statutory text (Thai original)
การที่จะให้บุคคลใดมาที่พนักงานสอบสวนหรือมาที่พนักงานฝ่ายปกครองหรือตำรวจชั้นผู้ใหญ่หรือมาศาล เนื่องในการสอบสวน การไต่สวนมูลฟ้อง การพิจารณาคดี หรือการอย่างอื่นตามบทบัญญัติแห่งประมวลกฎหมายนี้ จักต้องมีหมายเรียกของพนักงานสอบสวนหรือพนักงานฝ่ายปกครองหรือตำรวจชั้นผู้ใหญ่หรือของศาล แล้วแต่กรณีแต่ในกรณีที่พนักงานสอบสวนหรือพนักงานฝ่ายปกครองหรือตำรวจชั้นผู้ใหญ่ไปทำการสอบสวนด้วยตนเอง ย่อมมีอำนาจที่จะเรียกผู้ต้องหาหรือพยานมาได้โดยไม่ต้องออกหมายเรียก
English translation
To require any person to come before an inquiry official, before an administrative officer or a senior police officer, or before the court, in connection with an inquiry, a preliminary examination of the charge, a trial, or any other matter under the provisions of this Code, there must be a summons issued by the inquiry official, the administrative officer or senior police officer, or the court, as the case may be. But where the inquiry official, or the administrative officer or senior police officer, conducts the inquiry in person, that officer has power to call the alleged offender or a witness without issuing a summons.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 52 opens Title 3 of Book 1, on summonses and warrants of arrest, and states the general rule that compelling a person to appear for an inquiry, a preliminary examination, a trial, or any other step under the Code requires a summons from the competent authority, an inquiry official, an administrative or senior police officer, or the court. The important qualification is in the second part: where the inquiry official or senior officer is conducting the inquiry in person, that officer may call the alleged offender or a witness directly, without issuing a formal summons. This confirms that inquiry officials already hold summoning power, which is why the summons is the standard tool to secure attendance, rather than, for example, a court action begun only to obtain one.
Why this matters in practice
If you receive a summons in a criminal matter, check who issued it, an inquiry official, a senior officer, or the court, because that tells you what stage you are at and what appearance is required. Ignoring a valid summons can have consequences, so it is better to attend and, where the matter is serious, to attend with counsel. An officer running an inquiry in person can also call you without a formal document. If you are unsure whether a summons is valid or how to respond, a consultation with a Thai lawyer before you appear is sensible.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 748/2489 (1946)
Because an inquiry official already has power under Section 52 to issue a summons, a prosecution filed merely to obtain a court summons and toll prescription is contrary to the law's purpose.
The plaintiff filed suit only a few days before prescription expired, showing no real necessity beyond an inability to bring the defendant in, and asked the court to issue a summons. The Court held that, since under Section 52 the inquiry official already had power to issue a summons, filing suit merely to interrupt prescription was contrary to the law's purpose, and dismissed the case.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
Who can issue a summons to appear in a criminal matter?
Under Section 52, a summons may be issued by an inquiry official, an administrative or senior police officer, or the court, depending on the stage of the case.
Can an officer call me without a written summons?
Yes. Where the inquiry official or senior officer conducts the inquiry in person, Section 52 allows them to call the alleged offender or a witness without issuing a formal summons.