Section 229 — Damaging a public way, bridge or dam
English translation
Whoever destroys, damages, fouls, or renders unusable a public way, a bridge, or a dam holding back water, so as to be likely to endanger traffic or the public, shall be liable to 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 229 protects public infrastructure, roads, bridges, and water-retaining dams, within the Chapter on Offences Causing Public Dangers. The elements are an act that destroys, damages, fouls, or renders unusable one of these structures, together with a resulting likelihood of danger to traffic or to the public. As with the other provisions in this group, actual harm is not required, only that the interference was likely to endanger. It carries imprisonment up to five years, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both. It complements Sections 226 to 228 by protecting the physical way and structures rather than only the signalling aids.
Why this matters in practice
The provision reaches conduct like digging up a road, weakening a bridge, or breaching a dam, and it applies once the interference is likely to endanger traffic or the public, even before an accident. It is a public-danger offence prosecuted by the state and is not compoundable, so no settlement with an affected owner will end it. Because a fine may replace or accompany imprisonment, penalties vary with the seriousness of the danger created, and injury or death would trigger heavier aggravated provisions. Defence work usually turns on whether the structure was truly public, whether the accused caused the damage, and whether real danger to traffic or the public was likely; see our overview of criminal law in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
What structures does Section 229 protect?
Public ways, bridges, and dams that hold back water. Damaging or disabling them in a way likely to endanger traffic or the public is an offence.
What penalty does Section 229 carry?
Imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both, with heavier penalties if injury or death results.