Section 187 — Tampering with seized or attached property
English translation
Whoever, in order to prevent the execution of a judgment or order of a court, damages, destroys, conceals, takes away, or renders lost or useless any property that has been seized or attached, or that the person knows is likely to be seized or attached, 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 187 protects the enforcement of court judgments and orders against interference with the property used to satisfy them. Its elements are an act of damaging, destroying, concealing, taking away, or rendering lost or useless, directed at property that has been seized or attached, or that the person knows is likely to be seized or attached, coupled with the purpose of defeating the execution of a judgment or order. That specific purpose, to prevent the judgment or order from taking effect, is essential; a charge that does not clearly plead the property and the intent to defeat execution can be found defective. The provision complements Section 185 (property in the court's keeping) and Section 186 (forfeited property), completing the set of offences that safeguard the integrity of judicial outcomes over property.
Why this matters in practice
This section is common in debt and enforcement disputes, where a debtor disposes of or hides property that has been seized or attached, or that the debtor knows is likely to be seized, to keep a creditor from enforcing a judgment; the penalty runs up to 3 years. The decisive element is the intent to prevent the judgment or order from taking effect. Courts have dismissed cases where the charge failed to state the time of the offence or did not fully plead the intent element, so clearly setting out the property, the timeframe, and the purpose of defeating execution matters. If you are a creditor whose secured property has been moved, or you are accused under this section, take advice on the evidence and pleading; you can read what to know before you go to court in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the key element of Section 187?
The act must be done in order to prevent the execution of a court judgment or order, directed at property seized or attached, or that the person knows is likely to be seized or attached.
Can a Section 187 charge be dismissed on pleading grounds?
Yes. Courts have dismissed charges that failed to state the time of the offence or did not fully plead the essential elements, including the intent to defeat execution.