5123-2556

Glossaries

Term	Definition
5123-2556	A parent who voluntarily reduces income cannot use it to lower child-support obligations. Thai courts apply earning capacity under section 1564 civil code to protect the child’s needs. Decision 5123/2556 (2013): Voluntary Income Drop ≠ Lower Support The foreign father quit a lucrative overseas post and petitioned to cut his child-support payments in half. The Supreme Court refused, finding the income reduction voluntary. Courts will impute earning capacity and keep the original order intact when parent is intentionally under-employed. Practical impact Parents cannot game the system by self-inflicted pay cuts. Modification requires bona-fide financial hardship, not lifestyle choices. Supports consistent child-centred interpretation of section 1564 civil code. Thai child-support orders → child support

Term

Definition

A parent who voluntarily reduces income cannot use it to lower child-support obligations. Thai courts apply earning capacity under section 1564 civil code to protect the child’s needs.

Decision 5123/2556 (2013): Voluntary Income Drop ≠ Lower Support

The foreign father quit a lucrative overseas post and petitioned to cut his child-support payments in half. The Supreme Court refused, finding the income reduction voluntary. Courts will impute earning capacity and keep the original order intact when parent is intentionally under-employed.

Practical impact

Parents cannot game the system by self-inflicted pay cuts.
Modification requires bona-fide financial hardship, not lifestyle choices.
Supports consistent child-centred interpretation of section 1564 civil code.

Thai child-support orders →

child support