Section 386 — Petty mischief (damage to property)
English translation
Whoever damages, destroys, depreciates, or renders useless the property of another, where the value of the property or the amount of the damage does not exceed one thousand baht, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding one month, or a fine not exceeding ten 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
This section is the low-value counterpart to the main property-damage offence in the property-crimes provisions. The elements are (1) damaging, destroying, depreciating, or rendering useless (2) the property of another, (3) where the value of the property or the amount of the damage does not exceed 1,000 baht. The value threshold, measured either by the property's worth or by the extent of the damage, is what channels the conduct into this petty offence rather than the graver mischief provision.
Why this matters in practice
Penalty exposure is modest, one month's imprisonment or a fine up to 10,000 baht. The main property-damage offence is generally a compoundable offence in Thailand, so at this petty level the parties can often settle, with compensation for the small loss frequently resolving the matter. Disputes typically focus on valuation, since the 1,000 baht ceiling can decide whether the petty offence or the graver one applies.
Frequently asked questions
When is damaging property only a petty offence?
Under Section 386, damaging another's property is a petty offence when the value of the property or the amount of the damage does not exceed 1,000 baht.
Can petty property damage under Section 386 be settled?
The main property-damage offence is generally compoundable in Thailand, so at this petty level the parties can often settle, with compensation resolving the matter.