Section 145 — Impersonating an official
English translation
Whoever holds himself out as an official and performs an act as an official, when he himself is not an official having the power to perform that act, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding twenty thousand baht, or both.
Any official who, having received an order not to continue performing his official duties, still violates it by performing any act in that office, shall be punished in the same manner as prescribed in the first paragraph.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
The first paragraph has two elements that must both be present: (1) holding oneself out as an official and (2) actually performing an act as an official, without having the authority. Merely claiming the title is not enough; there must be an act done in the assumed capacity. The second paragraph covers a real official who continues to exercise the functions of an office after being ordered to cease. The provision sits in the Chapter on Offences against Officials and often appears alongside property or fraud offences when the impersonation is a means to deceive a victim, for example pretending to be a police officer in order to enter premises or take property.
Why this matters in practice
The exposure under this section alone is modest, up to one year, but impersonating an official is rarely charged in isolation: it usually accompanies theft, extortion or fraud carrying much heavier penalties, and the courts treat those as separate or concurrent offences. Because the maximum term is one year, the limitation period is five years. This is a public offence, not compoundable. If you are facing a charge that bundles impersonation with a property offence, the heavier count usually drives the outcome, so Thai criminal law advice on the full set of charges matters more than the impersonation count.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 1664/2565 (2022)
Falsely presenting oneself as an official in order to enter a dwelling and take property supports a charge under Section 145 alongside the theft; the court characterized the act as joint theft in a dwelling at night by deceiving that the offenders were officials, rather than armed robbery.
The court held the conduct was joint theft in a dwelling at night, committed by deceiving the victims into believing the offenders were officials and while carrying a firearm, and reclassified it away from armed robbery. The impersonation of officials was charged under Section 145 together with the theft counts.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
Is it enough just to claim to be a police officer?
No. Section 145 requires both holding oneself out as an official and actually performing an act in that capacity without authority.
What if impersonation is used to commit theft?
The impersonation under Section 145 is charged alongside the theft offence, and the heavier property offence normally governs the sentence.
What is the penalty under Section 145?
Imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.