Section 357 — Receiving stolen property
English translation
Whoever assists in concealing, assists in disposing of, assists in carrying away, buys, takes in pledge, or otherwise receives property obtained through the commission of an offence, if that offence is of the nature of theft, snatching, extortion, blackmail, robbery, gang-robbery, cheating and fraud, misappropriation, or misappropriation by an official, commits the offence of receiving stolen property, and shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding five years, or a fine not exceeding one hundred 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 357 defines receiving stolen property. Its elements are: the accused assisted in concealing, disposing of, or carrying away, or bought, took in pledge, or otherwise received property, that property was obtained through a predicate offence, and the predicate offence is one of the listed property offences (theft, snatching, extortion, blackmail, robbery, gang-robbery, cheating and fraud, misappropriation, or official misappropriation). Crucially, the offender must know the property came from one of those offences; innocent acquisition is not caught. It is a distinct offence from the underlying theft or fraud, and a person cannot be both the principal thief and the receiver of the very same property. The five-year maximum is heavier than simple theft, reflecting the role receivers play in sustaining property crime.
Why this matters in practice
The decisive issue in almost every receiving case is knowledge: the prosecution must prove the accused knew the goods were the proceeds of one of the listed offences, and a buyer who paid a fair price without suspicious circumstances has a strong defence. Exposure is significant at up to five years, heavier than ordinary theft, and unlike the property offences it protects, receiving is not compoundable, so the injured party cannot simply settle it away. Buyers of second-hand vehicles, phones, and machinery are common defendants, which makes documenting the source and price of a purchase important. See our overview of criminal law in Thailand.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 429/2567 (2024)
Receiving property obtained through an offence supports a conviction for receiving stolen property under Section 357 paragraph one, and it is distinct from an unlawful-possession charge that may be acquitted on its own footing.
The defendant was convicted of receiving stolen property under Section 357 paragraph one and sentenced to one year, while the separate charge of possessing another person's registered firearm without a licence was dismissed. The Supreme Court also confirmed the investigation was valid where the defendant had been informed of the alleged facts.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to know the property was stolen to be guilty?
Yes. The prosecution must prove you knew the property came from one of the listed offences such as theft or fraud. A buyer who acquired the goods honestly and without suspicious circumstances is not guilty.
Can the thief also be charged with receiving stolen property?
No. Receiving is a separate offence from the underlying theft or fraud, and the same person cannot be both the principal offender and the receiver of the same property.
Is receiving stolen property compoundable?
No. Unlike theft, fraud, and misappropriation, Section 357 is not listed as compoundable, so the injured party cannot simply settle and withdraw the case.