Section 144 — Bribery of officials (offering a bribe)
English translation
Whoever gives, offers or agrees to give property or any other benefit to an official, a member of a State legislative assembly, a member of a provincial assembly or a member of a municipal assembly, in order to induce that person to do, not to do, or to delay any act contrary to duty, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand baht, or both.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 144 is the active-bribery offence: it punishes the giver, whereas Section 149 punishes the official who demands or accepts. The elements are (1) giving, offering or agreeing to give (2) property or any other benefit (3) to an official or a legislative, provincial or municipal council member (4) with intent to induce an act, omission or delay that is contrary to the recipient's duty. The offence is complete once the offer or promise is made; the official need not accept and the improper act need not follow. It sits in the Chapter on Offences against Officials, distinct from the Malfeasance in Office offences (Sections 147 onward), which target the official's own conduct.
Why this matters in practice
This is a serious public offence: it is not compoundable, so it cannot be settled privately, and paying or promising a bribe exposes the giver even if the official reports it and never acts. The maximum five-year term places the limitation period at ten years. Corruption complaints of this kind are commonly handled together with anti-corruption authorities. Anyone approached by, or considering approaching, an official over an official act should take advice before acting; a online consultation with a Thai lawyer can clarify exposure before a payment is ever discussed.
Frequently asked questions
Is offering a bribe a crime even if the official refuses?
Yes. Under Section 144 the offence is complete once the bribe is offered or promised; acceptance by the official is not required.
What is the penalty for bribing an official in Thailand?
Imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.
Can a Section 144 bribery case be settled with the official?
No. It is a non-compoundable public offence prosecuted by the State, so it cannot be withdrawn by private settlement.