Theft and Robbery under Thai Law: Criminal and Gang Crime

Reviewed by Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556, for ThaiLawOnline, a Thai law firm acting for foreigners since 2006.

Thailand’s criminal justice system takes property crimes seriously, with comprehensive legislation governing theft and robbery offenses. As an expatriate in Thailand, knowing these laws is not just helpful. It is essential for protecting yourself and your property. This guide covers criminal law about theft and robbery under Thai Law. It includes important Criminal Code sections, penalties, and practical defenses for foreign residents.

Understanding Thailand’s Property Crime Framework for Theft and Robbery under Thai Law

The Thai Criminal Code covers property crimes in Title XII, Offense Against Property. This title has two main chapters. Chapter 1 deals with theft and snatching offenses. Chapter 2 covers extortion, blackmail, robbery, and gang robbery offenses. These laws apply equally to Thai nationals and expatriates, with no distinctions made based on nationality.

Thailand has a civil law system. In this system, judges have a lot of power in deciding sentences. There is no jury system. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution, which must establish guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt”. This framework is very important for expatriates to understand. The legal procedures may be very different from those in their home countries.

The Complete Legal Framework: All Relevant Criminal Code Sections

Section	Offence	Core elements	Prison term	Fine	Notes
334	Theft	Dishonest taking of another’s movable property, including co-owned	Up to 3 years	Up to 60,000 baht	Base offence
335	Aggravated theft	Nighttime events can cause problems. There may be damage to barriers. Unusual entries can happen. Disguises may be used. A false official might appear. It may involve a weapon, or two or more people acting together. They may enter homes, official places, or public service areas. This includes places of worship and transport hubs. It can also involve public-benefit property, employer’s property, farm tools, or livestock	1 to 5 years. Two or more factors 1 to 7 years. Cattle, buffalo or farm machinery 3 to 10 years	20,000 to 100,000 baht. Two or more factors 20,000 to 140,000 baht. Cattle, buffalo or farm machinery 60,000 to 200,000 baht	Court may treat poverty and small value as 334
335 bis	Theft of religious objects	Buddhist statue or religious object, or part of it	3 to 10 years. If in temple, monks’ dwellings, worship place, ancient site, government office, or national museum, 5 to 15 years	60,000 to 200,000 baht. If locations above, 100,000 to 300,000 baht	Public worship or national property
336	Snatching	Taking by sudden snatch in public	Up to 5 years. With bodily or mental harm 2 to 7 years. With grievous harm 3 to 10 years. With death 5 to 15 years	Up to 100,000 baht. With harm 40,000 to 140,000 baht. With grievous harm 60,000 to 200,000 baht. With death 100,000 to 300,000 baht	Public-facing offence
336 bis	Penalty uplift	334, 335, 335 bis, or 336 are crimes. These crimes happen when someone pretends to be a soldier or police officer. They may carry a firearm or explosives. They might also use a vehicle to commit the crime, carry stolen property, or escape	Increase punishment by one half		Applies to base and aggravated forms
337	Extortion	Violence or threats to obtain property or benefit	Up to 5 years. If threats of death, grievous harm, arson, or armed, 6 months to 7 years	Up to 100,000 baht. With threats listed, 10,000 to 140,000 baht	Threats can target life, body, liberty, reputation, property
338	Blackmail	Coercion by threat to disclose a secret causing harm	1 to 10 years	20,000 to 200,000 baht	Different from 337 by nature of threat
339	Robbery	Theft with immediate violence or threat for taking, delivery, seizure, concealment, or escape	5 to 10 years. If 335-type factors or cattle, buffalo or farm machinery 10 to 15 years. With bodily or mental harm 10 to 20 years. With grievous harm 15 to 20 years. With death life or death penalty	100,000 to 200,000 baht. With 335-type factors, cattle, buffalo or farm machinery 200,000 to 300,000 baht. With bodily or mental harm 200,000 to 400,000 baht. With grievous harm 300,000 to 400,000 baht	339 bis covers religious objects or protected places
340	Gang robbery	Robbery by 3 or more persons	10 to 15 years. If armed 12 to 20 years. With grievous harm life or 15 to 20 years. With death death penalty	200,000 to 300,000 baht, rising to 240,000 to 400,000 baht when armed	340 bis raises ranges for religious objects and protected places
340 ter	Penalty uplift	339, 339 bis, 340, 340 bis with a soldier’s or police uniform, a firearm or explosives, or vehicle use	Increase punishment by one half		Mirrors 336 bis

**Table notes and sources

• Fines rose tenfold under the Criminal Code Amendment No. 26, 2017. Sections 334, 335, 335 bis, 336, 336 bis updated. Sections 339, 339 bis, 340, 340 bis, 340 ter updated.
• Section 334 fine up to 60,000 baht now appears in Thai sources.
• Section 336 bands and Section 335 bis bands shown above reflect current Thai sources. Last update shown 10 August 2025
• Robbery and gang-robbery bands reflect current Thai sources.
• Extortion and blackmail bands reflect current Thai sources.
• Detention up to 48 hours and interpreter rights rely on CPC sources and reputable explainers.

Section 334, Basic Theft

The foundation of theft law in Thailand is established under Section 334 of the Criminal Code:

“Anyone who dishonestly takes another person’s property, or property they share, commits theft. They will be imprisoned for up to three years and fined no more than sixty thousand Baht.”

This basic rule includes the main parts of theft. It is the dishonest taking of someone else’s property. The intent is to keep it from the owner forever. The penalty for basic theft is quite lenient. This shows that lawmakers want to separate simple property crimes from more serious ones that have added factors.

Section 335, Aggravated Theft Circumstances

Section 335 dramatically increases penalties when theft occurs under specific aggravating circumstances. The law recognizes twelve distinct scenarios that elevate a simple theft to a more serious offense:

Whoever commits theft under any of the following circumstances:

1. By night, Theft committed during nighttime hours
2. During public calamities, Taking advantage of fire, explosion, flood, accidents, or public panic
3. Damaging protective barriers, Breaking through barricades or protective structures
4. Unauthorized passage use, Using passages not intended for human entrance
5. Disguise or impersonation, Hiding identity or impersonating others
6. False official impersonation, Pretending to be a government official
7. Armed theft or group participation, Carrying weapons or involving two or more persons
8. Unauthorized entry, Theft in dwelling places, official locations, or public service areas
9. Public places, Theft in a public place of worship, a railway station, an airport, a public car park or pier, a public goods yard, or on public transport
10. Public benefit property, Stealing items used for public benefit
11. Employer’s property, Theft of employer’s belongings
12. Agricultural property, Stealing a farmer’s produce, crops, animals or the tools used for farming

Penalties for Section 335 offenses: one to five years imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 Baht.

Multiple aggravating circumstances: If two or more circumstances apply, penalties can increase. You may face one to seven years in prison and fines from 20,000 to 140,000 Baht.

Agricultural equipment theft: If you steal cattle, buffalo, or farm machinery that a farmer keeps for farming, you can face three to ten years in prison. You may also have to pay fines between 60,000 and 200,000 Baht.

Section 335 bis, Theft of Religious Objects

This section specifically addresses theft of religious and cultural artifacts:

“Anyone who steals a Buddhist statue, religious object, or any part of it, will face punishment. If the item is for public worship or belongs to the nation, the thief will be imprisoned for three to ten years. They will also be fined between 60,000 and 200,000 Baht.”

Enhanced penalties for sacred location theft: If committed in temples, monks’ dwellings, worship places, ancient sites, government offices, or national museums, penalties increase to five to fifteen years imprisonment and fines of 100,000 to 300,000 Baht.

Section 336, Snatching

Snatching represents a distinct category of theft involving direct confrontation:

“Anyone who steals by snatching in public is guilty of snatching. They will face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one hundred thousand Baht.”

Escalating penalties based on harm caused:

• Bodily or mental harm: two to seven years imprisonment and fines of 40,000 to 140,000 Baht
• Grievous bodily harm: three to ten years imprisonment and fines of 60,000 to 200,000 Baht
• Death: five to fifteen years imprisonment and fines of 100,000 to 300,000 Baht

Section 336 bis, Enhanced Penalties for Impersonation

This provision addresses theft committed while impersonating authority figures:

Anyone who breaks the law under Section 334, 335, 335 bis, or 336 will face tougher punishment. The penalty for the underlying offence is increased by one half.

This includes wearing a soldier or police uniform. It also includes dressing in a way that makes others think they are a soldier or police officer. This includes carrying a gun or explosives. It also includes using a vehicle to commit a crime, steal something, or escape arrest. The punishment will be increased by half compared to what is stated in those Sections.”**

The law behind this page

English

Section 334

Theft is dishonestly taking away property that belongs to another person, or that another person co-owns. The penalty is up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 60,000 baht.

Full text

Whoever dishonestly takes away property belonging to another person, or belonging to another person jointly, commits the offence of theft and shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding sixty thousand baht.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 335Amended on 21 March 2017

This section lists twelve aggravating circumstances that make theft more serious: theft at night, during a fire, flood or similar disaster, by breaking or passing through a barrier, through an opening not meant for entry, in disguise, by posing as an official, while armed or by two or more people together, in a home, government building or public-service place entered without permission, in a place of public worship, station, airport, public car park or public conveyance, of property held for public benefit, of an employer's property, or of a farmer's produce, plants, animals or implements. One such circumstance carries one to five years in prison and a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 baht. Two or more together carry one to seven years and a fine of 20,000 to 140,000 baht. Theft of a farmer's cattle, buffalo, machinery or mechanical equipment carries three to ten years and a fine of 60,000 to 200,000 baht. Where the theft was committed out of necessity or intolerable poverty and the property was of small value, the court may sentence under Section 334 instead.

Full text

Whoever commits theft: (1) at night; (2) in or around a place where there is a fire, an explosion or a flood, or in or around a place where there has been an accident or a mishap to a train or to another public conveyance, or another similar disaster, or by taking advantage of such an event, or by taking advantage of the public being in fear of any danger; (3) by damaging a barrier made for the protection of persons or property, or by passing through such a barrier by any means; (4) by entering through an opening not intended to be an entrance for persons, or through an opening opened by an accomplice; (5) by disguising himself as another person, masking his face, or acting in any other way so that his face cannot be seen or recognised; (6) by falsely representing himself to be an official; (7) while carrying a weapon, or by two or more persons acting together; (8) in a dwelling place, a government building, or a place provided for a public service, which he has entered without permission, or in which he has concealed himself; (9) in a place of public worship, a railway station, an airport, a public car or boat park, a public place for loading and unloading goods, or in a public conveyance; (10) of property used or held for public benefit; (11) of property belonging to, or in the possession of, his employer; (12) of property belonging to a person following the occupation of agriculture, being produce, plants, animals or implements held for or obtained from that agriculture, shall be liable to imprisonment from one to five years and a fine from twenty thousand to one hundred thousand baht. Where the offence under paragraph one has the characteristics of two or more of those sub-paragraphs, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment from one to seven years and a fine from twenty thousand to one hundred and forty thousand baht. Where the offence under paragraph one is committed against cattle, buffalo, machinery or mechanical equipment held by a person following the occupation of agriculture for that agriculture, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment from three to ten years and a fine from sixty thousand to two hundred thousand baht. Where an offence under this Section is committed out of necessity or out of intolerable poverty, and the property is of small value, the court may impose the punishment provided in Section 334.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 339Amended on 21 March 2017

This section defines robbery: committing theft while using force, or threatening that force will be used at once, to facilitate the taking, obtain delivery, keep the property, conceal the crime, or escape arrest. The base penalty is imprisonment from five to ten years and a fine from one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand baht. It rises to ten to fifteen years where the robbery has any aggravating characteristic listed in Section 335 or is committed against a farmer's cattle, buffalo or machinery, to ten to twenty years where it causes bodily or mental harm, to fifteen to twenty years where it causes grievous bodily harm, and to death or imprisonment for life where it causes death.

Full text

Whoever commits theft by using violence, or by threatening immediately to use violence, in order to: (1) facilitate the theft or the carrying away of the property; (2) obtain delivery of the property; (3) retain the property; (4) conceal the commission of the offence; or (5) escape arrest, commits the offence of robbery and shall be liable to imprisonment from five to ten years and a fine from one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand baht. Where the offence has the characteristics of any sub-paragraph of Section 335, or is committed against cattle, buffalo, machinery or mechanical equipment held by a person following the occupation of agriculture for that agriculture, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment from ten to fifteen years and a fine from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand baht. Where the robbery causes harm to the body or mind of another person, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment from ten to twenty years and a fine from two hundred thousand to four hundred thousand baht. Where the robbery causes grievous bodily harm to another person, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment from fifteen to twenty years and a fine from three hundred thousand to four hundred thousand baht. Where the robbery causes the death of another person, the offender shall be liable to death or to imprisonment for life.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 340Amended on 21 March 2017

Gang-robbery is robbery committed jointly by three or more persons. The penalty is imprisonment from ten to fifteen years and a fine from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand baht, rising to twelve to twenty years and a fine from two hundred and forty thousand to four hundred thousand baht where any one of the offenders carries a weapon. Where the gang-robbery causes grievous bodily harm, or is committed with acts of cruelty causing harm to the body or mind of another person, by shooting with a gun, by using an explosive or by torture, the penalty is imprisonment for life or from fifteen to twenty years. Where it causes the death of another person the penalty is death.

Full text

Whoever commits robbery together with two or more other persons commits the offence of gang robbery and shall be liable to imprisonment from ten to fifteen years and a fine from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand baht. Where any one of the offenders carries a weapon, the offenders shall be liable to imprisonment from twelve to twenty years and a fine from two hundred and forty thousand to four hundred thousand baht. Where the gang robbery causes grievous bodily harm to another person, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for life, or to imprisonment from fifteen to twenty years. Where the gang robbery is committed with acts of cruelty causing harm to the body or mind of another person, by shooting with a gun, by using an explosive, or by torture, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for life, or to imprisonment from fifteen to twenty years. Where the gang robbery causes the death of another person, the offender shall be liable to death.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 336

Snatching is theft carried out by openly grabbing property in the presence of the owner. The basic penalty is up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 100,000 baht, and it rises steeply if the snatching causes bodily harm, grievous harm or death.

Full text

Whoever commits theft by snatching openly commits the offence of snatching and shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding five years and a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand baht. If the snatching causes another person to suffer bodily or mental harm, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment of two to seven years and a fine of forty thousand to one hundred and forty thousand baht. If the snatching causes another person to suffer grievous harm, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment of three to ten years and a fine of sixty thousand to two hundred thousand baht. If the snatching causes the death of another person, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment of five to fifteen years and a fine of one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand baht.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 336 bis

This section increases the penalty for theft or snatching under Sections 334 to 336 when the offender wears or fakes a military or police uniform, carries or uses a firearm or explosive, or uses a vehicle to commit the crime, carry away the property, or escape arrest. The penalty is one half heavier than the base offence.

Full text

Whoever commits an offence under Section 334, Section 335, Section 335 bis or Section 336 while wearing a military or police uniform, or dressed so as to be taken for a soldier or a police officer, or while carrying or using a firearm or an explosive, or by using a vehicle to facilitate the offence, to carry away the property, or to escape arrest, shall be liable to a punishment one half heavier than that prescribed for the offence concerned.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 340 ter

This section increases the penalty for robbery or gang-robbery by one half where the offender uses a disguise as a soldier or police officer, has or uses a firearm or explosive, or uses a vehicle to commit the crime, carry off the property, or escape arrest. It is an aggravating provision, not a separate offence.

Full text

Whoever commits an offence under Section 339, Section 339 bis, Section 340 or Section 340 bis while wearing a military or police uniform, or dressed so as to be taken for a soldier or a police officer, or while carrying or using a firearm or an explosive, or by using a vehicle to commit the offence, to carry away the property, or to escape arrest, shall be liable to a punishment one half heavier than that prescribed for the offence concerned.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

Section 357Amended on 21 March 2017

This section punishes a person who conceals, helps dispose of, carries away, buys, takes in pledge, or otherwise receives property obtained through an offence such as theft, robbery, fraud, or misappropriation. The base penalty is up to five years imprisonment, a fine up to one hundred thousand baht, or both. It rises to six months to ten years and a fine of 10,000 to 200,000 baht where the receiving is for the purpose of trading for profit or the property came from theft of public-benefit property, robbery or gang-robbery, and to five to fifteen years and a fine of 100,000 to 300,000 baht where the property came from theft, robbery or gang-robbery of a publicly venerated Buddha image or religious object.

Full text

Whoever assists in concealing, assists in disposing of, assists in taking away, buys, takes in pledge or otherwise receives property obtained through the commission of an offence, where that offence is of the nature of theft, snatching, extortion, blackmail, robbery, gang robbery, fraud, misappropriation or misappropriation by an official, commits the offence of receiving stolen property and shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand baht, or both. If the offence of receiving stolen property is committed for profit, or in respect of property obtained by theft under section 335 (10), robbery or gang robbery, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment of six months to ten years and a fine of ten thousand to two hundred thousand baht. If the offence of receiving stolen property is committed in respect of property obtained by theft under section 335 bis, robbery under section 339 bis or gang robbery under section 340 bis, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment of five to fifteen years and a fine of one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand baht.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Our annotated sectionOfficial text

ไทย

มาตรา 334

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดเอาทรัพย์ของผู้อื่น หรือที่ผู้อื่นเป็นเจ้าของรวมอยู่ด้วยไปโดยทุจริต ผู้นั้นกระทำความผิดฐานลักทรัพย์ ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินสามปี และปรับไม่เกินหกหมื่นบาท หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๔ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]

ข้อความจากฐานข้อมูลประมวลกฎหมายของเรา โปรดตรวจสอบกับข้อความทางการ (Thai text from our annotated code. Check it against the official text.)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 335แก้ไขเมื่อ 21 มีนาคม 2560

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดลักทรัพย์ (๑) ในเวลากลางคืน (๒) ในที่หรือบริเวณที่มีเหตุเพลิงไหม้ การระเบิด อุทกภัย หรือในที่หรือบริเวณที่มีอุบัติเหตุ เหตุทุกขภัยแก่รถไฟ หรือยานพาหนะอื่นที่ประชาชนโดยสาร หรือภัยพิบัติอื่นทำนองเดียวกันหรืออาศัยโอกาสที่มีเหตุเช่นว่านั้น หรืออาศัยโอกาสที่ประชาชนกำลังตื่นกลัวภยันตรายใด ๆ (๓) โดยทำอันตรายสิ่งกีดกั้นสำหรับคุ้มครองบุคคลหรือทรัพย์ หรือโดยผ่านสิ่งเช่นว่านั้นเข้าไปด้วยประการใด ๆ (๔) โดยเข้าทางช่องทางซึ่งได้ทำขึ้นโดยไม่ได้จำนงให้เป็นทางคนเข้า หรือเข้าทางช่องทางซึ่งผู้เป็นใจเปิดไว้ให้ (๕) โดยแปลงตัวหรือปลอมตัวเป็นผู้อื่น มอมหน้าหรือทำด้วยประการอื่นเพื่อไม่ให้เห็นหรือจำหน้าได้ (๖) โดยลวงว่าเป็นเจ้าพนักงาน (๗) โดยมีอาวุธ หรือโดยร่วมกระทำความผิดด้วยกันตั้งแต่สองคนขึ้นไป (๘) ในเคหสถาน สถานที่ราชการหรือสถานที่ที่จัดไว้เพื่อให้บริการสาธารณะที่ตนได้เข้าไปโดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาต หรือซ่อนตัวอยู่ในสถานที่นั้น ๆ (๙) ในสถานที่บูชาสาธารณะ สถานีรถไฟ ท่าอากาศยาน ที่จอดรถหรือเรือสาธารณะ สาธารณสถานสำหรับขนถ่ายสินค้า หรือในยวดยานสาธารณะ (๑๐) ที่ใช้หรือมีไว้เพื่อสาธารณประโยชน์ (๑๑) ที่เป็นของนายจ้างหรือที่อยู่ในความครอบครองของนายจ้าง (๑๒) ที่เป็นของผู้มีอาชีพกสิกรรม บรรดาที่เป็นผลิตภัณฑ์ พืชพันธุ์ สัตว์หรือเครื่องมืออันมีไว้สำหรับประกอบกสิกรรมหรือได้มาจากการกสิกรรมนั้น ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่หนึ่งปีถึงห้าปี และปรับตั้งแต่สองหมื่นบาทถึงหนึ่งแสนบาท ถ้าความผิดตามวรรคแรกเป็นการกระทำที่ประกอบด้วยลักษณะดังที่บัญญัติไว้ในอนุมาตราดังกล่าวแล้วตั้งแต่สองอนุมาตราขึ้นไป ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่หนึ่งปีถึงเจ็ดปี และปรับตั้งแต่สองหมื่นบาทถึงหนึ่งแสนสี่หมื่นบาท ถ้าความผิดตามวรรคแรกเป็นการกระทำต่อทรัพย์ที่เป็นโค กระบือ เครื่องกลหรือเครื่องจักรที่ผู้มีอาชีพกสิกรรมมีไว้สำหรับประกอบกสิกรรม ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สามปีถึงสิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่หกหมื่นบาทถึงสองแสนบาท ถ้าการกระทำความผิดดังกล่าวในมาตรานี้ เป็นการกระทำโดยความจำใจหรือความยากจนเหลือทนทาน และทรัพย์นั้นมีราคาเล็กน้อย ศาลจะลงโทษผู้กระทำความผิดดังที่บัญญัติไว้ในมาตรา ๓๓๔ ก็ได้ หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๑๕ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]

ข้อความจากฐานข้อมูลประมวลกฎหมายของเรา โปรดตรวจสอบกับข้อความทางการ (Thai text from our annotated code. Check it against the official text.)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 339แก้ไขเมื่อ 21 มีนาคม 2560

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดลักทรัพย์โดยใช้กำลังประทุษร้าย หรือขู่เข็ญว่าในทันใดนั้นจะใช้กำลังประทุษร้าย เพื่อ (๑) ให้ความสะดวกแก่การลักทรัพย์หรือการพาทรัพย์นั้นไป (๒) ให้ยื่นให้ซึ่งทรัพย์นั้น (๓) ยึดถือเอาทรัพย์นั้นไว้ (๔) ปกปิดการกระทำความผิดนั้น หรือ (๕) ให้พ้นจากการจับกุม ผู้นั้นกระทำความผิดฐานชิงทรัพย์ ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่ห้าปีถึงสิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่หนึ่งแสนบาทถึงสองแสนบาท ถ้าความผิดนั้นเป็นการกระทำที่ประกอบด้วยลักษณะดังที่บัญญัติไว้ในอนุมาตราหนึ่งอนุมาตราใดแห่งมาตรา ๓๓๕ หรือเป็นการกระทำต่อทรัพย์ที่เป็นโค กระบือ เครื่องกลหรือเครื่องจักรที่ผู้มีอาชีพกสิกรรมมีไว้สำหรับประกอบกสิกรรม ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบปีถึงสิบห้าปี และปรับตั้งแต่สองแสนบาทถึงสามแสนบาท ถ้าการชิงทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นรับอันตรายแก่กายหรือจิตใจ ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบปีถึงยี่สิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่สองแสนบาทถึงสี่แสนบาท ถ้าการชิงทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นรับอันตรายสาหัส ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบห้าปีถึงยี่สิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่สามแสนบาทถึงสี่แสนบาท ถ้าการชิงทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นถึงแก่ความตาย ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษประหารชีวิต หรือจำคุกตลอดชีวิต หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๑๐ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 340แก้ไขเมื่อ 21 มีนาคม 2560

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดชิงทรัพย์โดยร่วมกันกระทำความผิดด้วยกันตั้งแต่สามคนขึ้นไป ผู้นั้นกระทำความผิดฐานปล้นทรัพย์ ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบปีถึงสิบห้าปี และปรับตั้งแต่สองแสนบาทถึงสามแสนบาท ถ้าในการปล้นทรัพย์ ผู้กระทำแม้แต่คนหนึ่งคนใดมีอาวุธติดตัวไปด้วย ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบสองปีถึงยี่สิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่สองแสนสี่หมื่นบาทถึงสี่แสนบาท ถ้าการปล้นทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นรับอันตรายสาหัส ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตลอดชีวิต หรือจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบห้าปีถึงยี่สิบปี ถ้าการปล้นทรัพย์ได้กระทำโดยแสดงความทารุณจนเป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นรับอันตรายแก่กายหรือจิตใจ ใช้ปืนยิง ใช้วัตถุระเบิด หรือกระทำทรมาน ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตลอดชีวิต หรือจำคุกตั้งแต่สิบห้าปีถึงยี่สิบปี ถ้าการปล้นทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นถึงแก่ความตาย ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษประหารชีวิต หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๖ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 336

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดลักทรัพย์โดยฉกฉวยเอาซึ่งหน้า ผู้นั้นกระทำความผิดฐานวิ่งราวทรัพย์ ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินห้าปี และปรับไม่เกินหนึ่งแสนบาท ถ้าการวิ่งราวทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นรับอันตรายแก่กายหรือจิตใจ ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สองปีถึงเจ็ดปี และปรับตั้งแต่สี่หมื่นบาทถึงหนึ่งแสนสี่หมื่นบาท ถ้าการวิ่งราวทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นรับอันตรายสาหัส ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สามปีถึงสิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่หกหมื่นบาทถึงสองแสนบาท ถ้าการวิ่งราวทรัพย์เป็นเหตุให้ผู้อื่นถึงแก่ความตาย ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่ห้าปีถึงสิบห้าปี และปรับตั้งแต่หนึ่งแสนบาทถึงสามแสนบาท หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๔ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 336 ทวิ

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดกระทำความผิดตามมาตรา ๓๓๔ มาตรา ๓๓๕ มาตรา ๓๓๕ ทวิ หรือมาตรา ๓๓๖ โดยแต่งเครื่องแบบทหารหรือตำรวจหรือแต่งกายให้เข้าใจว่าเป็นทหารหรือตำรวจ หรือโดยมีหรือใช้อาวุธปืนหรือวัตถุระเบิด หรือโดยใช้ยานพาหนะเพื่อสะดวกแก่การกระทำผิดหรือการพาทรัพย์นั้นไป หรือเพื่อให้พ้นการจับกุม ต้องระวางโทษหนักกว่าที่บัญญัติไว้ในมาตรานั้น ๆ กึ่งหนึ่ง

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 340 ตรี

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดกระทำความผิดตามมาตรา ๓๓๙ มาตรา ๓๓๙ ทวิ มาตรา ๓๔๐ หรือมาตรา ๓๔๐ ทวิ โดยแต่งเครื่องแบบทหารหรือตำรวจหรือแต่งกายให้เข้าใจว่าเป็นทหารหรือตำรวจ หรือโดยมีหรือใช้อาวุธปืนหรือวัตถุระเบิด หรือโดยใช้ยานพาหนะเพื่อกระทำผิด หรือพาทรัพย์นั้นไป หรือเพื่อให้พ้นการจับกุม ต้องระวางโทษหนักกว่าที่บัญญัติไว้ในมาตรานั้น ๆ กึ่งหนึ่ง

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

มาตรา 357แก้ไขเมื่อ 21 มีนาคม 2560

ข้อความเต็ม

ผู้ใดช่วยซ่อนเร้น ช่วยจำหน่าย ช่วยพาเอาไปเสีย ซื้อ รับจำนำหรือรับไว้โดยประการใดซึ่งทรัพย์อันได้มาโดยการกระทำความผิด ถ้าความผิดนั้นเข้าลักษณะลักทรัพย์ วิ่งราวทรัพย์ กรรโชก รีดเอาทรัพย์ ชิงทรัพย์ ปล้นทรัพย์ ฉ้อโกง ยักยอก หรือเจ้าพนักงานยักยอกทรัพย์ ผู้นั้นกระทำความผิดฐานรับของโจร ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินห้าปี หรือปรับไม่เกินหนึ่งแสนบาท หรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ ถ้าการกระทำความผิดฐานรับของโจรนั้น ได้กระทำเพื่อค้ากำไรหรือได้กระทำต่อทรัพย์อันได้มาโดยการลักทรัพย์ตามมาตรา ๓๓๕ (๑๐) ชิงทรัพย์ หรือปล้นทรัพย์ ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่หกเดือนถึงสิบปี และปรับตั้งแต่หนึ่งหมื่นบาทถึงสองแสนบาท ถ้าการกระทำความผิดฐานรับของโจรนั้น ได้กระทำต่อทรัพย์อันได้มาโดยการลักทรัพย์ตามมาตรา ๓๓๕ ทวิ การชิงทรัพย์ตามมาตรา ๓๓๙ ทวิ หรือการปล้นทรัพย์ตามมาตรา ๓๔๐ ทวิ ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่ห้าปีถึงสิบห้าปี และปรับตั้งแต่หนึ่งแสนบาทถึงสามแสนบาท หมายเหตุ: [อัตราโทษ แก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยมาตรา ๑๖ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมประมวลกฎหมายอาญา (ฉบับที่ ๒๖) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๐]

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตราพร้อมหมายเหตุของเราข้อความทางการ

Français

Article 334

Quiconque soustrait frauduleusement le bien d'autrui, ou un bien dont autrui est copropriétaire, commet un vol, puni d'un emprisonnement de trois ans au plus et d'une amende de 60 000 bahts au plus.

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Article 335Modifié le 21 mars 2017

Vol aggravé (nuit, sinistre; effraction, ruse, arme, groupe; lieu protégé, public; bien public, d'employeur, agricole), 1 à 5 ans, 20 000 à 100 000 bahts; cumul, maxima 7 ans, 140 000; bovins, buffles, machines agricoles, 3 à 10 ans, 60 000 à 200 000. Misère, contrainte, faible valeur, art. 334.

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Article 339Modifié le 21 mars 2017

Commet un vol avec violence quiconque vole en usant de violence, ou en menaçant d'en user immédiatement, afin de : (1) faciliter le vol ou l'enlèvement du bien ; (2) se faire remettre le bien ; (3) le retenir ; (4) dissimuler l'infraction ; ou (5) échapper à l'arrestation. Peine : cinq à dix ans d'emprisonnement et 100 000 à 200 000 bahts d'amende. Si l'acte présente une circonstance de l'un des alinéas de l'article 335, ou porte sur des bovins, buffles, engins ou machines qu'un agriculteur détient pour son exploitation : dix à quinze ans et 200 000 à 300 000 bahts. Atteinte à l'intégrité physique ou psychique d'autrui : dix à vingt ans et 200 000 à 400 000 bahts. Blessures graves : quinze à vingt ans et 300 000 à 400 000 bahts. Mort d'autrui : peine de mort ou réclusion à perpétuité.

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Article 340Modifié le 21 mars 2017

Commet un brigandage quiconque commet un vol avec violence avec au moins deux autres personnes (trois auteurs ou plus) : dix à quinze ans d'emprisonnement et 200 000 à 300 000 bahts d'amende. Si un seul des auteurs porte une arme : douze à vingt ans et 240 000 à 400 000 bahts. Si le brigandage cause des blessures graves à autrui : réclusion à perpétuité ou quinze à vingt ans. Même peine s'il est commis avec une cruauté causant une atteinte à l'intégrité physique ou psychique d'autrui, en tirant avec une arme à feu, en utilisant des explosifs ou par la torture. S'il cause la mort d'autrui : peine de mort.

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Article 336

Commet un vol à l'arraché quiconque vole en s'emparant du bien à la vue de la victime : emprisonnement de cinq ans au plus et amende de 100 000 bahts au plus. S'il en résulte une atteinte à l'intégrité physique ou psychique d'autrui : deux à sept ans et 40 000 à 140 000 bahts. Blessures graves : trois à dix ans et 60 000 à 200 000 bahts. Mort d'autrui : cinq à quinze ans et 100 000 à 300 000 bahts.

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Article 336 bis

Quiconque commet une infraction prévue aux articles 334, 335, 335 bis ou 336 en portant l'uniforme militaire ou de police, ou en s'habillant de façon à passer pour militaire ou policier, ou en détenant ou utilisant une arme à feu ou un explosif, ou en utilisant un véhicule pour faciliter l'infraction ou l'enlèvement du bien, ou pour échapper à l'arrestation, encourt la peine prévue par l'article concerné augmentée de moitié.

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Article 340 ter

Quiconque commet une infraction prévue aux articles 339, 339 bis, 340 ou 340 bis en portant l'uniforme militaire ou de police, ou en s'habillant de façon à passer pour militaire ou policier, ou en détenant ou utilisant une arme à feu ou un explosif, ou en utilisant un véhicule pour commettre l'infraction ou emporter le bien, ou pour échapper à l'arrestation, encourt la peine prévue par l'article concerné augmentée de moitié.

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Article 357Modifié le 21 mars 2017

Commet un recel quiconque aide à cacher, à écouler ou à emporter, achète, reçoit en gage ou reçoit de toute autre manière un bien provenant d'un vol, vol à l'arraché, extorsion, chantage, vol avec violence, brigandage, escroquerie, abus de confiance ou détournement par un agent public : cinq ans d'emprisonnement au plus ou 100 000 bahts d'amende au plus, ou les deux. Recel à but lucratif, ou portant sur un bien provenant d'un vol visé à l'article 335 (10), d'un vol avec violence ou d'un brigandage : six mois à dix ans et 10 000 à 200 000 bahts. Bien provenant d'un vol (article 335 bis), d'un vol avec violence (article 339 bis) ou d'un brigandage (article 340 bis) : cinq à quinze ans et 100 000 à 300 000 bahts.

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Supreme Court decisions

• 2966/2539 (1996): Theft From an Employer Under Section 335(11) Does Not Require Entrusted Property
• 8104/2548 (2005): A Co-Robber Is Liable Under Section 339 Paragraph Two Even Without Knowing His Companion Was Armed

Sources

• Penal Code, Office of the Council of State, retrieved 31 October 2026
• deka.supremecourt.or.th, Supreme Court of Thailand decisions database (copy held in our library), retrieved 19 February 2026

Extortion, Blackmail, and Robbery Offenses

Section 337, Extortion

Extortion involves compelling someone to give property through violence or threats:

Anyone who uses violence or threats to make someone give them or someone else something valuable is committing extortion. This includes threats to harm the person’s life, body, freedom, reputation, or property. If found guilty, the person can face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one hundred thousand Baht.”

Enhanced penalties apply when extortion involves:

• Threats of death or grievous bodily harm
• Threats to set fire to property
• Armed perpetrators

These circumstances result in imprisonment of six months to seven years and fines of 10,000 to 140,000 Baht.

Section 338, Blackmail

Blackmail specifically addresses coercion through disclosure threats:

Blackmail is when someone makes another person give or agree to give something by threatening to expose a secret or cause harm. This can happen to the person being forced or someone else. The person who commits blackmail can be imprisoned for one to ten years and fined between 20,000 and 200,000 Baht.”

Section 339, Robbery

Robbery combines theft with immediate violence or threats:

“Anyone who steals by using violence or by threatening violence will face immediate consequences.”

• To facilitate the theft or taking away of the thing
• To obtain delivery of the thing
• To take hold of the thing
• To conceal the commission of such offence
• To escape from arrest

That person commits robbery, punishable by five to ten years in prison and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 Baht.

Escalating penalties based on circumstances and harm:

• Any section 335 circumstance, or cattle, buffalo or farm machinery: Ten to fifteen years imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 to 300,000 Baht
• Bodily or mental harm: Ten to twenty years imprisonment
• Grievous bodily harm: Fifteen to twenty years imprisonment
• Death resulting: Death penalty or life imprisonment

Section 340, Gang Robbery

Gang robbery involves three or more participants:

“Whoever with three persons upwards participate in committing robbery, such persons are said to commit gang-robbery, and shall be punished with imprisonment of ten to fifteen years and fined of 200,000 to 300,000 Baht.”

Enhanced penalties for aggravating circumstances:

• Armed gang robbery: Twelve to twenty years imprisonment
• Causing grievous harm: Life imprisonment or fifteen to twenty years
• Acts of cruelty, shooting, explosives, or torture: Life imprisonment or fifteen to twenty years
• Death resulting: Death penalty

Section 340 ter, Enhanced Penalties for Uniforms, Firearms and Vehicles

Robbery or gang robbery under Sections 339, 339 bis, 340 or 340 bis is punished one half more heavily when the offender wears a soldier’s or police uniform or dresses to look like one, has or uses a firearm or explosives, or uses a vehicle to commit the offence, carry the property away or escape arrest. The punishment is increased by half of the usual sentence.

Practical Defenses Available to Expatriates for Theft and Robbery under Thai Laws

Understanding potential defenses is crucial for expatriates facing property crime charges. Thai criminal law recognizes several defense categories that may apply depending on the specific circumstances of each case.

Mistake of Fact Defense

Thai law provides protection for defendants who act under a genuine mistake of fact. Section 62 of the Criminal Code states:

“Whenever any fact, if really existing, will cause the doing of any act not to be an offence, or the doer not to be punishable, or to receive less punishment, and even though such fact does not really exist, but the doer understands mistakenly that it really exists, the doer shall not be guilty, or shall be exempted from the punishment, or shall receive less punishment, as the case may be.”

This defense is particularly relevant for expatriates who may misunderstand property ownership, cultural practices, or business arrangements. For example, an expatriate who truly thinks they can take property may use this defense. This can happen if they misunderstand a business agreement about shared assets.

Expatriates in Thailand often deal with property crimes linked to family problems. These issues can include divorce or inheritance disputes with Thai spouses. Under Thai law, shared property from marriages may be covered by the Civil and Commercial Code. This can lead to defenses, such as claims of legitimate ownership. For example, if an expat takes items thinking they are marital assets, this may lead to a mistake of fact defense under Section 62. It is important to understand these overlaps. Consult a specialized lawyer to handle both criminal and civil issues effectively.

Duress Defense

Duress and necessity are governed by section 67 of the Penal Code, and where they apply they are a complete answer to punishment. A person who commits an offence because they were under compulsion or a power they could not avoid or resist, or to save themselves or someone else from an imminent danger they did not cause and could not otherwise avoid, is not punished, provided the act was not more than the circumstances called for. Where it went further than that, section 69 lets the court impose less than the minimum penalty, and if the excess came from excitement, shock or fear, impose no penalty at all.

In practice the defence has to show:

• Immediate threat of serious harm
• No reasonable alternative to committing the offense
• The crime was committed solely to avoid the threatened harm

Good Faith and Lack of Criminal Intent

For property crimes, proving lack of dishonest intent can be a complete defense. This is particularly relevant for expatriates involved in complex business arrangements or cultural misunderstandings. Courts consider factors such as:

• Legitimate belief in ownership rights
• Open and transparent use of disputed property
• Payment of fair market value
• Maintenance of proper documentation
• Cooperative behavior during investigation

Receiving Stolen Property Defenses

Expatriates purchasing goods in Thailand may unknowingly acquire stolen property. Section 357 addresses receiving stolen property, but courts recognize several defenses:

• Good faith purchases at fair market value
• Due diligence in verifying seller credentials
• Purchase from reputable, licensed dealers
• Maintenance of purchase documentation
• Lack of suspicious circumstances

Criminal Procedure and Expatriate Rights

Stage	Key rights	Timing	Notes for expats
Arrest	Right to remain silent. Right to counsel. Right to inform a relative	Immediate	Officer must state charge. Produce warrant if any
Police detention	Right to interpreter if you do not speak Thai	Up to 48 hours before court custody. Section 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code measures that period from the time you are brought to the investigating officer’s office under section 83, not from the moment of arrest	After 48 hours, police seek court custody if investigation continues, unless there is force majeure or another unavoidable necessity
Court custody and bail	Right to apply for bail	Custody periods vary by charge	Passport surrender and travel limits common for foreigners
Trial	Judge-only trial. Interpreter provided	Continuous hearings	Prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt

Arrest and Initial Detention

When arrested in Thailand, expatriates have specific rights that must be respected throughout the criminal process. Thai police can hold suspects for up to 48 hours without a court order. During this time, they may ask initial questions.

Key expatriate rights during arrest:

• Right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination
• Right to a lawyer: to meet and consult a lawyer in private, and to have a lawyer or a trusted person present during police questioning (Criminal Procedure Code sections 7/1 and 134/4)
• Right to interpreter services for non-Thai speakers
• Right to contact embassy or consular officials
• Right to understand charges in a language they comprehend

Bail Considerations for Foreigners

Thai courts typically require additional conditions for expatriate defendants seeking bail:

• Passport surrender to prevent flight risk
• Prohibition on leaving Thailand during proceedings
• Higher bail amounts compared to Thai nationals
• Local surety requirements or property guarantees

Business expatriates can ask the court for permission to travel abroad for important business reasons. They must show real business needs and agree to extra monitoring conditions.

Court Proceedings and Language Rights

All Thai court proceedings are conducted in Thai, making interpreter services essential for expatriate defendants. The Criminal Procedure Code guarantees free interpretation services, ensuring defendants can meaningfully participate in their defense.

Procedural considerations for expatriates:

• Continuous trial system, Hearings proceed until completion unless exceptional circumstances arise
• Judge-only trials, No jury system in Thailand
• A bench of at least two judges in the provincial and criminal courts, with a single judge for minor offences in the district (Kwaeng) courts
• Adversarial proceedings, Both prosecution and defense present cases
• Burden on prosecution to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt

Property Crime Prevention for Expatriates

Business and Investment Protection

Expatriate business owners and investors should implement comprehensive property protection strategies:

Documentation requirements:

• Maintain detailed ownership records for all business assets
• Document all property transfers and business transactions
• Preserve evidence of fair market value payments
• Keep records of all business partner agreements and arrangements

Due diligence procedures:

• Verify seller credentials for all property purchases
• Research ownership history of valuable acquisitions
• Use licensed dealers and reputable businesses for transactions
• Avoid cash-only transactions without proper documentation

Reporting Property Crimes as an Expatriate

If you are a victim of theft or robbery in Thailand, report it quickly. This helps protect your rights and improves your chances of getting your belongings back. As an expatriate, contact the Tourist Police (dial 1155 for English-speaking assistance) or your local police station immediately. Provide a detailed statement, including descriptions of stolen items and any evidence like photos or CCTV footage. Remember, you have the right to an interpreter during reporting. Filing a police report is essential for insurance claims and can support visa extensions if needed. For business-related crimes, document losses thoroughly to aid potential civil claims. Delaying reports can complicate investigations, so act quickly, ideally within 24 hours.

Cultural and Legal Education

Many property crime issues involving expatriates stem from misunderstandings about Thai law and cultural practices:

Key areas for expatriate education:

• Religious and cultural property, Understanding the heavier penalties for Buddha images and religious objects (section 335 bis)
• Agricultural property, Recognizing enhanced penalties for farm-related theft
• Employer-employee relationships, Clarifying property use permissions in workplace settings
• Shared ownership concepts, Understanding Thai concepts of co-ownership and family property

Penalties and Sentencing Considerations

Financial Penalties

Thai criminal law imposes both imprisonment and financial penalties for property crimes. Fines run from a maximum of 60,000 Baht for basic theft to as much as 400,000 Baht for the most serious robbery and gang-robbery offences. These financial penalties apply in addition to imprisonment terms.

Fine payment requirements:

• Fines must be paid within 30 days of judgment
• If the fine is not paid, the offender’s property must be seized or claims attached to satisfy it, or failing that the offender is confined in lieu of the fine, under section 29. That is confinement, a distinct penalty, and not an additional term of imprisonment
• Confinement in lieu of an unpaid fine is calculated at 500 baht per day under section 30, and may not exceed one year, except that where the court has imposed a fine of 200,000 baht or more it may order confinement of more than one year but not more than two

Imprisonment Terms

Property crime sentences in Thailand can be substantial, particularly for offenses involving aggravating circumstances:

Sentence ranges by offense type:

• Basic theft: Maximum 3 years imprisonment
• Aggravated theft: 1 to 5 years, 1 to 7 years with two or more aggravating features, and 3 to 10 years for cattle, buffalo or farm machinery
• Snatching with death: 5-15 years
• Robbery: 5 to 10 years standard, 15 to 20 years where it causes grievous bodily harm, and death or life imprisonment where it causes death
• Gang robbery: 10-15 years minimum, death penalty for fatal cases

Mitigating Factors for Sentencing

Thai courts consider several factors that may reduce sentences for expatriate defendants:

• First-time offender status
• Cooperation with authorities
• Voluntary compensation to victims
• Genuine remorse and acceptance of responsibility
• Cultural or language misunderstandings that contributed to the offence

Recent Cases and Statistics

Recent cases highlight the seriousness of property crimes in Thailand. Aggravated theft involving entry to business premises at night is routinely sentenced in the multi-year range, including for foreign defendants. These examples underscore the need for vigilance and legal awareness among expats.

Legal Representation and Professional Assistance

Importance of Specialized Legal Counsel

Property crime cases with expatriates need lawyers who know Thai criminal law and cross-cultural legal issues well. Effective legal representation should address:

Language and communication barriers:

• Ensuring complete understanding of charges and procedures
• Facilitating effective communication with courts and prosecutors
• Translating complex legal concepts into understandable terms

Cultural competency:

• Understanding expatriate community dynamics
• Recognizing cultural factors that may have contributed to alleged offenses
• Presenting cultural context effectively to Thai courts

Procedural expertise:

• Navigating Thai criminal procedure requirements
• Managing bail applications and travel permission requests
• Coordinating with embassy or consular officials when appropriate

Selecting Appropriate Legal Representation

When facing property crime charges in Thailand, expats should get legal help. Look for a lawyer with experience in criminal defense and expat legal issues. Key qualifications include:

• Licensed Thai attorneys with criminal defence experience
• English-speaking capabilities for effective communication
• Expatriate client experience understanding unique challenges
• Local court relationships facilitating effective advocacy

Conclusion and Practical Recommendations

Thailand’s property crime laws apply to everyone, no matter their nationality. However, expatriates have special challenges when dealing with the legal system. Understanding the complete framework of Criminal Code sections 334-340 provides essential protection for expatriate residents and business operators.

Key takeaways for expatriates:

Prevention is key: Keep good records for all property deals. Know the cultural rules about certain properties. Follow due diligence steps for all purchases.

Know your rights: You have the right to remain silent. You can ask for an interpreter. Always seek legal help right away if you have contact with law enforcement.

Act quickly when problems arise: The 48-hour initial detention period and subsequent court hearings move rapidly, making immediate professional legal assistance essential.

Know the risks: Property crime penalties in Thailand can be harsh, especially for serious offenses or harm to people. Gang robbery and armed robbery charges carry sentences up to life imprisonment or death.

Cultural competency matters: Many cases of property crime involving expatriates come from misunderstandings about Thai law and culture. Experienced legal counsel can help clear up these issues.

FAQs about Theft and Robbery under Thai Laws

Expatriates living and working in Thailand need to understand property crime laws. This knowledge offers important protection for both business and personal matters. The legal system may seem complicated. However, good education, prevention strategies, and legal help can help expatriates. These tools allow them to navigate Thailand’s criminal justice system. They can also protect their rights and interests.

The Thai legal system focuses on documentation, proper procedures, and cultural sensitivity. This creates chances for a strong defense when problems come up. However, expatriates need to handle property matters with the right knowledge and care. By knowing the law and how it works in Thai courts, expatriates can make smart choices. This helps them protect their legal interests while respecting Thailand’s laws and culture.

If you’re an expatriate facing property crime issues in Thailand, don’t navigate this alone. Our team at ThaiLawOnline specializes in defending foreign residents, with expertise in cultural nuances and criminal procedures. Contact us today for a consultation, protect your rights and assets now. Schedule a Consultation or call +66 87 225 1340.

Links:

• Tourist Police in Thailand

Last reviewed: 5 September 2026. Every section this page cites was read against the Penal Code as amended, in our own annotated statute library, which carries the amendment note for each penalty: sections 334, 335, 335 bis, 336, 336 bis, 337, 338, 339, 339 bis, 340, 340 bis, 340 ter and 357, together with sections 29 and 30 on fines, and section 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code on detention. The fine bands were the main thing checked, because the Penal Code Amendment Act (No. 26) B.E. 2560 raised criminal fines roughly tenfold and a good deal of English material about Thai property crime still quotes the pre-2017 figures. Every fine on this page was already the current one except section 339, whose entry in the table carried a single band and read as though the fine for robbery causing harm were the fine for the basic offence; all four bands are now given. Two further corrections: confinement in lieu of an unpaid fine is 500 baht a day under section 30, not 200, which was the rate before the Penal Code Amendment Act (No. 25) B.E. 2559, and confinement in lieu is a distinct penalty from imprisonment. Two FAQ answers were rewritten, one of which had published an editorial note about the page’s own errors into the live answer and its schema. Checked and correct, so that nobody re-derives them: the penalty tables for 334, 335, 335 bis, 336, 337, 338 and 340; the one-half uplift in 336 bis and 340 ter; and the forty-eight hours in section 87, which runs from the time the arrested person is brought to the investigating officer’s office and not from the moment of arrest. Not verified and left as written: the practical guidance on defences, evidence and sentencing practice, the remarks about bail and custody periods, and the advice to visitors, none of which is a statement of statute. Re-read on 4 October 2026: Penal Code sections 67, 69, 335, 336, 339, 340 and 357 and Criminal Procedure Code sections 7/1 and 134/4 were read in Thai. The duress passage, which called duress a partial defence, now states section 67, under which it is a complete answer if the act was not excessive; an unsourced police statistic was removed; the court-composition line, the robbery base fine in the prose and several garbled list items and one answer in the frequently asked questions were corrected.