Section 122: Aiding the war operations of the enemy
Statutory text (Thai original)
ผู้ใดกระทำการใด ๆ เพื่ออุปการะแก่การดำเนินการรบหรือการตระเตรียมการรบของข้าศึก ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่ห้าปีถึงสิบห้าปี ถ้าการอุปการะนั้นเป็นการ (๑) ทำให้ป้อม ค่าย สนามบิน ยานรบ ยานพาหนะ ทางคมนาคม สิ่งที่ใช้ในการสื่อสาร ยุทธภัณฑ์ เสบียงอาหาร อู่เรือ อาคาร หรือสิ่งอื่นใดสำหรับใช้เพื่อการสงครามใช้การไม่ได้หรือตกไปอยู่ในเงื้อมมือของข้าศึก (๒) ยุยงทหารให้ละเลยไม่กระทำการตามหน้าที่ ก่อการกำเริบ หนีราชการหรือละเมิดวินัย (๓) กระทำจารกรรม นำหรือแนะทางให้ข้าศึก หรือ (๔) กระทำโดยประการอื่นใดให้ข้าศึกได้เปรียบในการรบ ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษประหารชีวิต หรือจำคุกตลอดชีวิต
English translation
Whoever does any act to support the war operations, or the preparations for war, of the enemy shall be liable to imprisonment from five years to fifteen years.
If that support consists in:
(1) rendering unusable, or causing to fall into the hands of the enemy, a fort, a camp, an airfield, a combat vehicle, a vehicle, a line of communication, a thing used in communications, munitions, provisions, a dockyard, a building, or any other thing for use in war;
(2) inciting soldiers to neglect their duty, to mutiny, to desert the service, or to breach discipline;
(3) committing espionage, or guiding or directing the enemy; or
(4) doing anything else that gives the enemy an advantage in the fighting,
the offender shall be liable to the death penalty or to imprisonment for life.
ThaiLawOnline translation, written from the Thai original and verified
Firm annotation
Section 122 criminalises giving aid to the enemy in war-related matters and belongs to the chapter on external security. Its elements are an act that assists the enemy and a connection between that assistance and war. The provision is deliberately broad as to the form of aid, so material, logistical or other support can fall within it, provided the war nexus is shown. Unlike Section 120, it is not limited to Thai nationals and does not require the offender to wage war personally. The basic penalty is five to fifteen years, rising to death or imprisonment for life where the support falls within any of the four forms the section lists.
Why this matters in practice
Exposure is five to fifteen years for the basic offence and rises to death or imprisonment for life if the support falls within any of the four listed forms, so which limb is alleged is the whole case. The key factual issues are whether an enemy exists in the relevant sense, whether the accused's conduct amounts to support for war operations or preparations, and whether it falls into one of those four forms. Section 128 makes preparation or an attempt punishable as the completed offence, and Section 129 punishes a supporter as a principal, so liability attaches earlier and wider here than in ordinary offences. Not compoundable.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of aid does Section 122 cover?
It covers any act that assists the enemy in matters relating to war. The form of aid is not limited, provided the connection to war is established.
Does Section 122 apply only to Thai nationals?
No. Unlike Section 120, it is not limited to Thai nationals and does not require the offender to wage war personally.
Related guides on ThaiLawOnline
Cite this section
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Plain citation
Penal Code, s. 122 (Thailand) -
Academic citation
Penal Code (Thailand), s. 122. ThaiLawOnline, https://www.thailawonline.com/thai-penal-code/section-122/ (accessed 21 August 2026). -
Thai citation
ป.อ. มาตรา 122 -
Permalink
https://www.thailawonline.com/thai-penal-code/section-122/ -
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<blockquote cite="https://www.thailawonline.com/thai-penal-code/section-122/"><p>Whoever does any act to support the war operations, or the preparations for war, of the enemy shall be liable to imprisonment from five years to fifteen years. If that support consists in: (1) rendering unusable, or causing to fall into the hands of the…</p><footer>Penal Code, s. 122 (Thailand) — <a href="https://www.thailawonline.com/thai-penal-code/section-122/">ThaiLawOnline</a></footer></blockquote>
The Thai text is authoritative. The English is an unofficial translation by ThaiLawOnline, free to reuse with attribution.