Section 367 — Refusing or falsifying name to an official
English translation
Whoever refuses to give his name or address, or intentionally gives a false name or address, to a competent official performing his duty, shall be punished with a fine not exceeding ten 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
The elements are (1) a demand by a competent official acting in the course of his duty, and (2) either a refusal to give one's name or address or an intentional giving of a false name or address. As a petty offence it is punishable by fine alone, with no imprisonment. It commonly appears together with heavier document and false-statement offences such as Sections 137 and 267 where a person impersonates another, but Section 367 targets the narrow act of withholding or falsifying identity to an official at the point of inquiry rather than the making of false documents.
Why this matters in practice
Exposure is limited to a fine, so the real significance of Section 367 is usually as an add-on to more serious charges when someone lies about who they are to police or another official. A person genuinely mistaken about the official's authority, or who was not asked in the proper exercise of a lawful duty, has a defence, since the official must be acting within his duty. Note that giving a false name to impersonate another person can pull in far heavier provisions on false statements and forged documents; the fine here is often the least of the concern.
Supreme Court decisions interpreting this section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 7123/2557 (2014)
Giving another person's name to an investigating officer in order to make the officer believe one is that person is not protected as a suspect's right to make a statement, and constitutes an offence under Section 367 among others.
The defendant gave another person's name to the police officer to pass himself off as that person. The Court held this was not shielded as the exercise of a suspect's right to give a statement and found him guilty under Sections 137, 267 and 367.
Curated decisions with case numbers verified against the Supreme Court database. English renderings are the firm's editorial translation for study.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a crime to refuse to give my name to a police officer in Thailand?
Under Section 367 it is a petty offence to refuse or to give a false name or address to a competent official acting in his duty, punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 baht.
Does Section 367 carry a prison term?
No. It is a petty offence punishable by fine only, up to 10,000 baht, with no imprisonment.
What if I give a false name to pretend to be someone else?
That can trigger far heavier charges for false statements and forged documents on top of Section 367, as the Supreme Court has recognized in impersonation cases.