Section 264 — Forgery of a document
English translation
Whoever makes a false document in whole or in part, adds to or removes text, or alters by any means a genuine document, or affixes a false seal or a false signature on a document, in a manner likely to cause damage to another person or to the public, if the act is done in order to make any person believe that it is a genuine document, commits the offence of forgery of a document and 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
Section 264 is the base offence of the Chapter on Offences Relating to Documents. Its elements are: (1) a forging act (making a false document wholly or partly, adding, deleting, or altering a genuine document, or affixing a false seal or signature); (2) a manner likely to cause damage to another or the public; and (3) intent to make a person believe the document is genuine. It is the general form of forgery; Sections 265 and 266 raise the penalty where the forged item is a right document, official document, will, share certificate, or bill of exchange. Using a document forged under this section is separately punishable under Section 268.
Why this matters in practice
In practice forgery is very often charged together with fraud under Section 341 and with use of a forged document under Section 268; where the same act violates several provisions with equal penalties, the court punishes under a single heaviest count. Penalty exposure here reaches three years, and a first-time defendant who pleads guilty and makes restitution frequently obtains a suspended sentence. Common defences include lack of intent to deceive, actual authority to sign, or that no damage was likely. Because forgery is often paired with a compoundable fraud claim, timing of the injured party's complaint can be decisive. For an overview of related offences see fraud and scam laws in Thailand.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 3399/2568 (2025)
Where forgery under Section 264, use of a forged document under Section 268, and fraud under Section 341 arise from one act carrying equal penalties, the court convicts on all counts but imposes a single punishment for the joint fraud.
The defendant was prosecuted under Sections 264, 268, and 341 and ordered to return 1,100,000 baht. The trial court found the act to be a single act violating several provisions of equal penalty and imposed one punishment for joint fraud, with three years imprisonment.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 1164/2568 (2025)
Forgery of a document under Section 264 and use of the forged document under Section 268 support conviction alongside connected property offences, with the offender also liable to restitution proportionate to the injured party's ownership share.
The defendant pleaded guilty and was convicted under Section 264 paragraph one and Section 268 together with a property offence. The court limited restitution to half of the vehicle's value, being 650,000 baht, matching the injured party's co-ownership share.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for forging a document in Thailand?
Under Section 264, ordinary document forgery carries imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both. Forging a right document, official document, will, or bill of exchange carries heavier penalties under Sections 265 and 266.
Is signing someone else's name always forgery?
Not always. Section 264 requires an intent to make others believe the document is genuine and conduct likely to cause damage. Signing with genuine authority or consent, without intent to deceive, may fall outside the offence.