Section 388 — Petty receiving of stolen property
English translation
Whoever receives stolen 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 receiving-stolen-property offence in the property-crimes provisions. The conduct mirrors ordinary receiving, namely dealing with property known to have been obtained through an offence such as theft, but the section applies only where the property is worth not more than 1,000 baht, capping liability at the petty-offence level. The receiver's knowledge that the property was criminally obtained remains an essential element; the value threshold alone distinguishes it from the graver offence.
Why this matters in practice
Penalty exposure is limited: one month's imprisonment or a fine up to 10,000 baht. The decisive contest is almost always the receiver's knowledge that the property was criminally obtained, since honest purchase without such knowledge is a defence. The low value ceiling keeps the stakes small, but a conviction still records dishonesty, which can carry weight for character or immigration purposes.
Frequently asked questions
When is receiving stolen goods a petty offence under Section 388?
Section 388 applies when the stolen property received is worth not more than 1,000 baht, treating it as a petty offence rather than ordinary receiving.
Is knowledge that goods were stolen required?
Yes. Receiving requires knowing the property was criminally obtained, so an honest buyer without such knowledge does not commit this offence.