Section 186 — Tampering with forfeited property
English translation
Whoever damages, destroys, conceals, takes away, or renders lost or useless any property that has been ordered forfeited by a judgment shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding sixty 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 186 protects property that has been ordered forfeited to the State by a court judgment. Its elements are an act of damaging, destroying, concealing, taking away, or rendering lost or useless, directed at property already subject to a forfeiture order. It differs from Section 185, which covers items in the court's keeping during a proceeding, and from Section 187, which covers property seized or attached to enforce a judgment or order. The unifying purpose of these provisions is to ensure that the outcomes of judicial proceedings, here the forfeiture of property, are not frustrated by interference with the property involved. The penalty range mirrors that for tampering with seized property under Section 187.
Why this matters in practice
This section matters to anyone holding or having access to property that a court has ordered forfeited, because dealing with that property to defeat the forfeiture is a crime carrying up to 3 years. The key element is that the property must already be subject to a forfeiture judgment; interference with property at an earlier stage may instead fall under Sections 184, 185, or 187 depending on its status. Because the correct provision depends on the property's precise legal position, and because forfeiture often accompanies a conviction for the underlying offence, the exposure should be assessed in context. If you face a question about forfeited property, take advice on which provision applies; you can consult a Thai criminal lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What property does Section 186 cover?
Property that a court has ordered forfeited by judgment. Damaging, destroying, concealing, taking away, or rendering it useless is the offence.
How is Section 186 different from Section 187?
Section 186 covers property already ordered forfeited by judgment, while Section 187 covers property seized or attached to enforce a judgment or order of a court.