Tort Cases in Thailand
Tort law in Thailand, known as the law of "wrongful acts" (ละเมิด), is governed primarily by the Thai Civil and Commercial Code (CCC). It provides a legal framework for civil liability when a person unlawfully causes damage to another, whether intentionally or negligently, and is therefore liable to compensate the injured party . For foreigners living in or doing business with Thailand, understanding this legal landscape is crucial, as the rules regarding evidence, damages, and deadlines differ significantly from many Western jurisdictions.
1. The Legal Definition and Four Elements of a Tort
Under Section 420 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code, a person who, willfully or negligently, unlawfully injures the life, body, health, liberty, property, or any right of another person is said to commit a wrongful act and is bound to make compensation . To successfully claim compensation, the injured party (plaintiff) must prove the existence of four key elements :
Willful or Negligent Act: The alleged wrongdoer must have acted intentionally or failed to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would under the circumstances. This includes omissions or failures to act.
Unlawful Act: The act must be against the law or violate the rights of another person. An act done by consent (such as participating in a contact sport) generally does not qualify as unlawful.
Actual Damage: The victim must have suffered actual, quantifiable harm. Minor or theoretical injuries without physical evidence usually do not constitute legal damage.
Causal Relationship: There must be a direct link between the wrongful act and the damage suffered. If the damage is too remote or indirect, the claim may fail.
Special Liability Rules
Thai tort law also imposes liability on specific parties beyond the individual wrongdoer. For instance, an employer is jointly liable with their employee for a wrongful act committed in the course of employment . Similarly, liability extends to supervisors of incapacitated persons who fail to exercise reasonable care, animal owners, and building possessors .
2. Common Types of Tort Claims
Tort claims in Thailand arise in various contexts :
Personal Injury: Accidents involving motor vehicles, speedboats, or public places.
Medical Malpractice & Product Liability: Claims against healthcare providers or manufacturers of defective goods.
Property Damage: Destruction or damage to real estate or personal belongings.
Defamation: Unlawful injury to reputation or liberty.
3. Types of Compensation Available
Thai courts determine the manner and extent of compensation according to the circumstances and gravity of the wrongful act . The compensation is generally limited to the actual loss suffered by the victim, unlike the punitive-heavy systems in the US .
For Living Claimants (Non-Fatal Cases)
If the victim survives, they can claim :
Actual Medical Expenses: Hospital fees, doctor visits, medication, and rehabilitation costs (requires receipts).
Future Medical Expenses: Costs for ongoing treatment if required by the injury.
Loss of Earnings: Compensation for total or partial disability to work, supported by pay slips or tax records.
Loss of Services: If the victim was legally obligated to support a family member (spouse, parent, or child), that third party can claim for the loss of those services.
Non-Pecuniary Loss (Pain and Suffering) : Compensation for physical pain and mental anguish. While recoverable, the amounts in Thailand are generally modest compared to Western standards.
For Wrongful Death
If the victim dies, the heirs are entitled to claim :
Funeral Expenses: Reasonable costs for the ceremony and burial/cremation.
Loss of Family Support: Compensation for the financial support the deceased would have provided to dependents (parents, spouse, children).
Non-Pecuniary Loss: In cases of death, compensation for pain and suffering is generally available to the estate or heirs .
Punitive Damages
Under standard tort law (Section 438 of the CCC), courts focus on compensating the victim rather than punishing the wrongdoer. However, specific consumer protection and product liability laws allow for punitive damages. For example, under the Consumer Case Procedure Act B.E. 2551 (2008), courts can award damages in excess of the consumer's provable injuries . Defective product claims can result in up to five times the actual damages in certain circumstances .
4. Critical Statute of Limitations (Prescription)
Missing the deadline is a common reason tort claims fail in Thailand. The law is strict :
One-Year Rule: The claim must be filed within one year from the day the injured person became aware of the wrongful act and the identity of the person responsible.
Ten-Year Rule: Even if the victim does not discover the injury, the claim is permanently barred ten years from the date the wrongful act was committed.
Criminal Exception: If the act is also a criminal offense with a longer prescription period (statute of limitations) under the Penal Code, that longer period may apply.
Practical Tip: Do not wait. If you are injured or suffer damages, you should consult a lawyer and preserve evidence immediately. Waiting eleven months to act leaves very little time for investigation and filing.
5. Comparative Negligence (Shared Fault)
Thailand recognizes the concept of comparative negligence. Under Section 223 of the CCC, if the injured party contributed to causing their own injury, the court will reduce the compensation accordingly . For example, if a motorcyclist runs a red light and is hit by a speeding car, the court will assess the percentage of fault for each party and reduce the payout proportionally.
6. The Litigation Process
Tort claims are civil matters. The victim (plaintiff) files a complaint in the competent court (usually where the incident occurred or where the defendant resides).
Burden of Proof: The burden is on the plaintiff to prove the four elements of tort. Evidence such as police reports, CCTV footage, medical records, and witness testimony is critical.
Court Assessment: Judges have broad discretion under Section 438 to determine the amount of compensation based on the circumstances and gravity of the act .
Conclusion
Navigating a tort case in Thailand requires a clear understanding of the four elements of liability under Section 420, strict adherence to the one-year statute of limitations, and realistic expectations regarding compensation. While the system is designed to make an injured party whole, it is not as generous with punitive damages as some Western countries, except in specific consumer protection contexts . Given the complexity of evidence laws and the short deadlines, anyone involved in a serious accident or dispute should seek qualified local legal counsel immediately to preserve their right to compensation.
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