Section 231 — Endangering an aircraft in flight
English translation
Whoever causes danger to an aircraft in flight shall be liable to imprisonment from five years to fifteen years and a fine from one hundred thousand baht to three hundred thousand baht.
If such act causes the death of another person, the offender shall be liable to the death penalty or imprisonment for life.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 231 protects aircraft in flight directly, going beyond the navigation-aid protection of Section 230, and sits among the most serious transport-safety offences in the Chapter. The base element is an act that causes danger to an aircraft while in flight, punishable by five to fifteen years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 to 300,000 baht. The second paragraph is a death-result aggravator: where the act causes the death of another person, the penalty rises to the death penalty or life imprisonment. The high thresholds mirror the mass-casualty risk of in-flight interference and align with Section 232 on unlawfully seizing aircraft.
Why this matters in practice
Any act that endangers an aircraft in flight carries a five-year minimum and can reach the death penalty if a death results, so this is among the gravest offences a person can face. It is a public-danger crime prosecuted by the state, not compoundable, and mandatory imprisonment plus a fine means a fine-only outcome is not possible. Contested issues typically include whether the aircraft was in flight, whether the accused's act actually endangered it, causation for any death, and intent. Given the exposure, immediate criminal defence advice is essential.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for endangering an aircraft in flight?
Under Section 231, imprisonment of five to fifteen years and a fine of 100,000 to 300,000 baht. If the act causes a death, the penalty rises to death or life imprisonment.
How is Section 231 different from Section 230?
Section 230 protects air-traffic signalling aids, while Section 231 punishes endangering the aircraft itself while in flight, with much heavier penalties.