Section 59/1 — Evidential threshold for warrants
Statutory text (Thai original)
ก่อนออกหมาย
จะต้องปรากฏพยานหลักฐานตามสมควรที่ทำให้ศาลเชื่อได้ว่ามีเหตุที่จะออกหมายตามมาตรา
๖๖ มาตรา ๖๙ หรือมาตรา ๗๑คำสั่งศาลให้ออกหมายหรือยกคำร้อง
จะต้องระบุเหตุผลของคำสั่งนั้นด้วยหลักเกณฑ์ในการยื่นคำร้องขอ
การพิจารณา รวมทั้งการออกคำสั่งให้เป็นไปตามหลักเกณฑ์และวิธีการที่กำหนดในข้อบังคับของประธานศาลฎีกา
English translation
Before issuing a warrant, there must appear reasonable evidence causing the court to believe that there are grounds to issue the warrant under Section 66, Section 69, or Section 71. The court's order to issue the warrant or to dismiss the application must state the reasons for that order. The criteria for filing the application, the consideration of it, and the issuance of the order shall be in accordance with the criteria and methods prescribed in the regulations of the President of the Supreme Court.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
This provision sets the evidential gatekeeping standard for all warrants in the general part of the Code. It requires reasonable evidence establishing grounds under Section 66 (arrest warrants), Section 69 (search warrants), or Section 71 (detention warrants) before a warrant may issue, and it imposes a duty on the court to give reasons whether it grants or dismisses the application. This reasoned-order requirement is a meaningful safeguard against rubber-stamping and supports later review of a warrant's legality. As with Sections 58 and 59, the procedural detail is delegated to the regulations of the President of the Supreme Court.
Why this matters in practice
The requirement of a reasoned order gives you something concrete to examine: if a warrant against you or your property lacks stated grounds, or the evidence before the court was thin, that can be a basis to challenge it. Keep any copy of the warrant and note whether reasons were given. To assess whether the evidential threshold under Section 59/1 was met in your case, it is worth having a lawyer review the court file; you can book a consultation with a Thai lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What must the court have before issuing a warrant?
Under Section 59/1, there must be reasonable evidence causing the court to believe there are grounds under Section 66, 69, or 71, and the order granting or refusing the warrant must state its reasons.
Does a court have to explain why it issued or refused a warrant?
Yes. Section 59/1 requires the court's order, whether it issues the warrant or dismisses the application, to state the reasons for the decision.