Section 372 — Drunk and disorderly in public
English translation
Whoever consumes liquor or other intoxicants to the point of becoming intoxicated and unable to control himself, and behaves in an offensive manner in a public place, shall be punished with a fine not exceeding five 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) consuming liquor or another intoxicant, (2) to the point of intoxication and loss of self-control, and (3) behaving in an offensive manner in a public place. Intoxication alone is not enough: the section requires both a loss of self-control and offensive public conduct, so a person who drinks but behaves properly is not caught. As a petty offence punishable by fine only, it sits among the public-order provisions in the closing Title of the Code and targets disorderly public behaviour caused by drink rather than the act of drinking itself.
Why this matters in practice
The penalty is a fine of up to 5,000 baht, so this is a minor charge, but it can accompany more serious offences arising from the same drunken episode, such as assault or property damage. The natural line of defence is that self-control was not in fact lost, or that the conduct was not offensive, since both elements must be present in addition to intoxication. Because the offence turns on behaviour in a public place, evidence of exactly what was said or done, and where, tends to decide these cases.
Frequently asked questions
Is being drunk in public a crime in Thailand?
Only where you become so intoxicated that you lose self-control and then behave offensively in a public place; Section 372 then applies with a fine of up to 5,000 baht.
Is drinking alone enough to be guilty under Section 372?
No. Intoxication is not enough; the section also requires loss of self-control and offensive conduct in a public place.