Section 214 — Being a member of a robber gang
English translation
Whoever is a member of a gang of robbers (song chon) shall be liable to imprisonment from five years to fifteen years and a fine from one hundred thousand baht to three hundred thousand baht.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
This provision sits in the chapter on public peace and carries a markedly heavier penalty than the general criminal-association offence, marking out membership of a robber gang as an especially grave form of organised crime. The core element is being a member of such a gang. The mandatory combination of a long prison term with a substantial fine, and the fixed five-year minimum, distinguish this offence from the broader song chon conspiracy elsewhere in the chapter and signal that the law treats a settled robber gang as a standing danger to the public rather than a mere agreement.
Why this matters in practice
Exposure here is severe and includes a five-year minimum term with a mandatory fine, so a conviction cannot be met with a suspended sentence in the way a minor offence might, and it is not settleable privately. In practice the fight is usually over membership itself: whether the accused truly belonged to an organised robber gang, or was only loosely connected. Given the mandatory range, anyone facing this charge should obtain a specialist criminal-defence lawyer without delay; you can arrange an online consultation with a Thai lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for being a member of a robber gang under Section 214?
Imprisonment of five to fifteen years together with a fine of 100,000 to 300,000 baht.
Is the fine mandatory?
Yes. The section imposes both imprisonment and a fine, so the fine is not optional on conviction.