Section 314 — Abduction for an indecent act
English translation
Whoever, for the purpose of an indecent act, takes away another person, or detains or confines another person, by deceitful means, threat, use of violence, unlawful exercise of dominating influence, or by any other means of coercion, shall be punished with imprisonment from one year to ten years and a fine from twenty thousand Baht to two hundred 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
Section 314 parallels Section 313 but is defined by the purpose of an indecent act rather than gratification of sexual desire through the victim. Its elements are: taking away, detaining, or confining the victim; by one of the listed coercive or deceptive means; for the purpose of an indecent act. The distinction from Section 313 lies in the intended purpose, indecency being a lesser sexual imposition than the desire-gratification aim of Section 313. Both sit in the Title on offences against liberty and share the same coercive-means requirement, which separates them from the consent-based provision in Section 315. Where the abduction is part of a course of conduct that also involves indecent assault or rape, the courts apply the single-act, most-severe-provision rule. Section 320 permits a reduced sentence where the offender voluntarily returns the victim unharmed before the trial court's judgment.
Why this matters in practice
Exposure is up to ten years plus a mandatory fine. As with Section 313, the contested elements are usually the coercive or deceptive means and the indecent purpose, so the defence may attack consent or the alleged intent. The offence is commonly charged alongside indecent-assault provisions arising from the same incident. Voluntary return of the victim unharmed before the trial court rules opens the door to a below-minimum sentence under Section 320, which is often the most valuable practical lever available to the accused. Anyone facing this charge should seek online consultation with a Thai lawyer before making statements.
Frequently asked questions
How does Section 314 differ from Section 313?
Both require coercive or deceptive means, but Section 314 is committed for the purpose of an indecent act, while Section 313 is committed to gratify sexual desire, which carries a heavier maximum penalty.
What is the penalty under Section 314?
Imprisonment from one to ten years together with a fine from 20,000 to 200,000 Baht. A voluntary safe return of the victim before judgment can reduce the sentence under Section 320.