Section 332 — Time limit to prosecute defamation
English translation
In a defamation case, no prosecution shall be brought after the lapse of three months from the day on which the injured person learned of the offence and of the identity of the offender.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 332 sets a special short limitation for defamation. The three-month period runs not from the date of the offence but from the day the injured person knew both of the offence and of the identity of the offender, and both elements of knowledge must be present to start time running. This is the same trigger used for other compoundable offences and complements Section 333, which makes defamation compoundable and requires a complaint by the injured person. Because defamation prosecutions usually begin with the injured person's complaint or private action, missing this window forecloses the case regardless of its merits. The limitation applies across the defamation offences in this chapter, including publication under Section 328.
Why this matters in practice
The three-month clock is the single most important deadline in a defamation matter and is measured from knowledge of both the offence and the offender, not from publication. An injured person who wants to prosecute must act quickly to lodge a complaint or file a private case, and should document when they learned each element. For a defendant, expiry of the period is a complete bar and one of the first points to check. Where a course of repeated defamatory acts is involved, the timing of knowledge for each act should be assessed separately. Early advice helps preserve or challenge the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a defamation case in Thailand?
Under Section 332 you have three months from the day you knew both of the offence and of who committed it. After that, prosecution is barred.
When does the three-month period start?
It starts on the day the injured person knew both of the offence and of the offender's identity. Both must be known for the period to begin, not merely the date of publication.