Section 259 — Altering genuine tickets
English translation
Whoever alters a genuine ticket so as to make it different from the genuine one shall be liable to imprisonment of six months to three years and a fine of ten thousand to sixty 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
Where Section 258 punishes making a wholly fake ticket, this section punishes altering a genuine ticket so as to make it different from the authentic original, for example changing the date, route, or class. The elements are (1) altering (2) a genuine State-issued ticket (3) so that it differs from the true one. The lighter penalty of six months to three years, compared with one to five years for forging, reflects that the ticket starts out genuine and is only modified. Using an altered ticket is separately punished under Section 260, which applies the penalty of this section to the user.
Why this matters in practice
Exposure runs from six months to three years, lower than forging, but the matter remains a non-compoundable State offence. The key distinction from Section 258 is that the ticket is genuine and merely modified; the prosecution must show a real ticket was changed to differ from its true terms. Where the same person alters and then uses the ticket, the acts are usually assessed together. Defences may dispute whether any alteration occurred or whether it materially changed the ticket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between forging and altering a ticket?
Forging under Section 258 means making a fake ticket, while altering under Section 259 means changing a genuine ticket so it differs from the original, such as changing its date or route.
What penalty applies for altering a genuine ticket?
Imprisonment of six months to three years and a fine of 10,000 to 60,000 baht.