Section 233 — Disrupting essential public utilities
English translation
Whoever, by any means, causes public-utility property, being a public-utility system necessary for the public, whether a water-supply, electricity, telephone, or other system, to become unusable or inconvenient to use 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 233 protects essential public-utility systems within the Chapter on Offences Causing Public Dangers. Its elements are an act, by any means, that causes public-utility property forming a system necessary for the public, whether water supply, electricity, telephone, or another such system, to become unusable or inconvenient to use. Notably, the provision is satisfied not only by a complete outage but also by rendering the system merely inconvenient to use, which broadens its reach. It carries imprisonment up to five years, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both, and stands apart from ordinary property-damage offences because the protected interest is public access to critical services.
Why this matters in practice
Because the offence covers making a utility merely inconvenient to use, conduct like cutting power or water lines, or disrupting telephone service, can be caught even without total destruction. This is a public-danger crime prosecuted by the state and is not compoundable, so a private arrangement with the utility provider will not end it. Penalties range widely since a fine alone is possible, but interference affecting many users or causing further harm will draw heavier treatment. Defence work usually turns on whether the system was a public utility within the section, whether the accused caused the disruption, and intent. For businesses, utility interference can also raise questions of corporate criminal liability.
Frequently asked questions
What utilities does Section 233 protect?
Public-utility systems necessary for the public, including water supply, electricity, telephone, and similar systems. Making them unusable or even inconvenient to use is an offence.
Does the utility have to be completely knocked out for Section 233 to apply?
No. The section applies where the system is made unusable or merely inconvenient to use, so partial disruption can suffice.