Section 261 — Misuse of used tickets
English translation
Whoever unlawfully uses a genuine ticket that has already been used, or causes it to appear that a genuine ticket that has already been used has not yet been used, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years, or a fine not exceeding sixty 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
This section mirrors the stamp provision in Section 257 but for tickets, dealing with a genuine but spent ticket. The two forms of the offence are (1) unlawfully reusing a genuine ticket that has already been used, and (2) making a used genuine ticket appear unused, for example by altering or removing a date or cancellation so it can be presented again. Because the ticket is authentic, the penalty is the lighter cap of three years or a fine, rather than the ranges for forging or altering. The conduct typically seeks to obtain travel or a service again without paying.
Why this matters in practice
Exposure is capped at three years, and a fine alone is possible, but the offence still cannot be settled by a private party. The prosecution must show the ticket was genuine and already used, and that the accused either reused it or made it look unused. The line between this section and altering a ticket under Section 259 can matter, since altering carries a mandatory prison range while this section allows a fine alone. Defences often dispute whether the ticket had been used or whether there was intent to present it as unused.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a crime to reuse a used ticket in Thailand?
Yes. Section 261 punishes unlawfully reusing a genuine used ticket, or making a used ticket appear unused, with up to three years in prison or a fine up to 60,000 baht, or both.
How does Section 261 differ from altering a ticket?
Altering a ticket under Section 259 changes its terms and carries a mandatory prison range, while Section 261 covers reusing or disguising a spent genuine ticket and allows a fine alone.