Section 387 — Petty misappropriation
English translation
Whoever misappropriates property, where the property is worth not more than 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 misappropriation offence in the property-crimes provisions. The conduct mirrors ordinary misappropriation, namely dishonestly converting to oneself property already in one's possession, but the section applies only where the property is worth not more than 1,000 baht, capping liability at the petty-offence level. The value threshold is the sole distinguishing feature from the graver embezzlement offence.
Why this matters in practice
Penalty exposure is modest, one month's imprisonment or a fine up to 10,000 baht. Misappropriation is generally a compoundable offence in Thailand, so at this petty level the parties can usually settle, and returning the property or making it good often resolves the case. Because it typically arises where possession was lawful at the outset, the decisive issue is usually the dishonest conversion rather than how the accused came to hold the property.
Frequently asked questions
When is misappropriation a petty offence under Section 387?
Section 387 applies when the misappropriated property is worth not more than 1,000 baht, treating it as a petty offence rather than ordinary misappropriation.
Can petty misappropriation be settled?
Misappropriation is generally a compoundable offence in Thailand, so at this petty level the parties can usually settle, and returning the property often resolves the case.