Section 87/1 — Remand examination by video conference
Statutory text (Thai original)
เมื่อพนักงานอัยการหรือพนักงานสอบสวนร้องขอและผู้ต้องหามิได้คัดค้านหากศาลเห็นสมควร ศาลอาจอนุญาตให้นำผู้ต้องหาหรือพยานหลักฐานไปยังสถานที่ทำการของทางราชการ หรือสถานที่แห่งอื่นที่ศาลเห็นสมควรซึ่งสามารถสอบถามผู้ต้องหาหรือทำการไต่สวนโดยจัดให้มีการถ่ายทอดภาพและเสียงในลักษณะการประชุมทางจอภาพได้ การดำเนินการดังกล่าวให้เป็นไปตามข้อบังคับของประธานศาลฎีกาโดยความเห็นชอบจากที่ประชุมใหญ่ของศาลฎีกาและประกาศในราชกิจจานุเบกษาแล้วให้ใช้บังคับได้ ทั้งนี้ ให้ระบุวิธีการสอบถามและไต่สวน รวมทั้งสักขีพยานในการนั้นด้วยการไต่สวนตามวรรคหนึ่งให้ถือเสมือนว่าเป็นการไต่สวนในห้องพิจารณาของศาล
English translation
When the public prosecutor or the investigating officer so requests and the accused does not object, if the court deems it appropriate, the court may permit the accused or the evidence to be brought to the premises of a government agency, or to another place that the court deems appropriate, at which the accused may be questioned or an examination conducted by providing transmission of image and sound in the manner of a video conference. Such proceeding shall be in accordance with the regulations of the President of the Supreme Court, made with the approval of the plenary session of the Supreme Court and published in the Government Gazette, whereupon it shall be enforceable; and the regulations shall also specify the method of questioning and examination, including the attesting witnesses thereto. The examination under paragraph one shall be deemed as if it were an examination in the courtroom of the court.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 87/1 modernizes the remand process in Chapter 1 by authorizing video-conference questioning and examination of the accused in lieu of physical production, provided the prosecutor or investigator requests it, the accused does not object, and the court agrees. The mechanics are governed by regulations of the President of the Supreme Court published in the Government Gazette, which must fix the questioning method and attesting witnesses. Critically, an examination so conducted is deemed to occur in the courtroom, giving it the same legal status as an in-person hearing under section 87.
Why this matters in practice
In practice you may face a remand hearing conducted by video link rather than in person, which is lawful only if you do not object and the court approves. Because the examination counts exactly as an in-court hearing, your right to object to remand and to be represented still applies fully. If you are unsure whether to consent to a video hearing, get quick advice through an online consultation with a Thai lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can a remand hearing in Thailand be held by video conference?
Yes. Section 87/1 allows the questioning or examination of the accused to be conducted by video conference if the prosecutor or investigator requests it, the accused does not object, and the court deems it appropriate.
Does a video-conference examination have the same legal effect as an in-court hearing?
Yes. Under Section 87/1, an examination conducted by video conference is deemed as if it were an examination in the courtroom of the court.