Section 317 — Abduction for labour or trafficking
English translation
Whoever takes away another person, or detains or confines another person, in order to make the person taken away, detained, or confined do any act to satisfy the demand of the offender or of another, in labour trade or human trafficking, shall be punished with imprisonment from five years to twenty years and a fine from one hundred thousand Baht to four hundred thousand Baht.
If the offence under the first paragraph is committed against a child not exceeding fifteen years of age, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment from ten years to twenty years and a fine from two hundred thousand Baht to four hundred thousand Baht, or imprisonment for life.
If the offence under the first or second paragraph causes grievous bodily harm to the victim, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment from fifteen years to twenty years.
If it causes the death of the victim, the offender shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 317 addresses the deprivation of liberty carried out to compel a person into acts connected with labour trade or human trafficking. Beyond the taking away or confinement, its defining element is the purpose of making the victim perform an act to satisfy a demand of the offender or another, in the labour-trade or trafficking context. The section is heavily tiered by consequence and victim: paragraph two raises the penalty where the victim is a child not over fifteen, paragraph three where grievous harm results, and paragraph four permits the death penalty where the victim dies. Sitting within the Title on offences against liberty, it overlaps in practice with the specialised Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and prosecutors frequently charge both. Section 319 extends liability to anyone who conceals a person taken under this section.
Why this matters in practice
This is a very high-exposure offence: the base range starts at five years and the aggravated tiers reach life imprisonment or death. The purpose element (labour trade or human trafficking) is the pivot, so the defence often disputes whether the confinement was for that exploitative aim rather than an ordinary employment or debt dispute. In serious cases prosecutors run this section together with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which carries its own penalties and victim-compensation regime, so exposure can be cumulative. The offence is not compoundable. Anyone accused, and any victim or family, should obtain online consultation with a Thai lawyer early, given how the charge interacts with the trafficking statute.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Section 317 different from simple confinement?
The purpose: the person must be taken or confined to be made to do something satisfying a demand connected with labour trade or human trafficking. That exploitative aim is the core element beyond the deprivation of liberty.
How does Section 317 relate to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act?
They overlap in exploitation cases, and prosecutors commonly charge both. The Act carries its own penalties and victim-compensation rules, so exposure and remedies can run in parallel.