Understanding the Sources of Thai Contract Law
Contract law in Thailand is based on a codified legal system structured under the Civil and Commercial Code. These written statutes are the foundation for all contract-related obligations, rights, and enforcement mechanisms. However, legal interpretation is equally important. Supreme Court judgments and general jurisprudence provide clarity on how specific provisions should be applied in real-world disputes. They are not binding precedents in the same way as common law, but courts often follow them to maintain consistency in rulings.
Full Index of Thai Civil and Commercial Code (Contract Sections)
This section provides direct access to the English translation of Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code relevant to contract law, including general obligations, specific contracts, and property-related agreements.
- Primary source: Thai Civil and Commercial Code — Book II and III cover general obligations and specific contracts.
- Secondary sources: Supreme Court rulings, legal commentaries, and court interpretations that guide practical enforcement.
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Book II Title I, Obligtions
- General Provisions
- Chapter I Subject of Obligation Sections Sections 194 - 202
- Chapter II Effect of Obligation
- Part I Non-performance Sections 203 -225
- Part II Subrogation Sections 226 - 232
- Part III Exercising Debtor's Claims Sections 233 - 236
- PART IV Cancelation of Fraudulent Acts Sections 237 - 240
- PART V Right of Retention Sections 241 - 250
- Part IV Preferential RightsSections 251 - 289
- Chapter III Plurality of Debtors and Creditors Sections 290 - 302
- Chapter IV Transfer of Claims Sections 303 - 313
- Chapter V Extinction of Obligations
- Part I Performance Sections 314 - 339
- Part II Release Sections 340 - 340
- Part III Set-Off Sections 341 - 348
- Part IV Novation Sections 349 - 352
- Part V Merger Sections 353 - 353
- Title II Contract
- Chapter I Formation of Contract Sections 354 - 368
- Chapter II Effect of Contract Sections 369 - 376
- Chapter III Earnest and Stipulated Penalty Sections 377 - 385
- Chapter IV Rescission of Contract Sections 386 - 394
- Title III Management without Mandate Sections 395 - 405
- Title IV Undue Enrichment Sections 406 - 419
- Title V Wrongful Acts
- Chapter I Liability for Wrongful Acts Sections 420 - 437
- Chapter II Compensation for Wrongful Acts Sections 438 - 448
- Chapter II Justifiable Acts Sections 449 - 452
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Book III Titlle I, Specific Contracts
- Chapter I Nature and Essentials of the Contract of Sale
- Part I General Provisions Sections 453 - 457
- Part II Transfer of Ownership Sections 458 - 460
- Chapter II Duties and Liabilities of the Seller
- Part I Delivery 461 - 471
- Part II Liability for Defect 472 - 474
- Part III Liability for Eviction 475 - 482
- Part IV Clause for Non-liability 483 - 485
- Chapter III Duties of the Buyer 486 - 490
- Chapter IV Some Particular Kinds of Sale
- Part I Sale with the Right of Redemption 491 - 502
- Part II Sale by Sampe: Sale by Description: Sale on Approval 503 - 508
- Part III Sale by Auction 509 - 517
- Title II Exchange 518 - 520
- Title III Gift 521 - 536
- Title IV Hire of Property
- Chapter I General Provisions 537 - 545
- Chapter II Duties and Liabilities of the Letter 546 - 551
- Chapter III Duties and Liabilities of the Hirer 552 - 563
- Chapter IV Extinction of Contract of Hire 564 - 571
- Title V Hire-Purchase 572 - 574
- Title VI Hire of Services 575 - 586
- Title VII Hire of Work 587 - 607
- Title VIII Carriage Sections 608 - 609
- Chapter I Carriage of Goods Sections 610 - 633
- Chapter II Carriage of Passengers Sections 634 - 639
- Title IX Loan Sections 640 - 656 (loan for use and consumption)
- Title X Deposit Sections 657 - 679
- Chapter III Special rules for innkeepers (hotels, guesthouses) Sections 674 - 679
- Title XI Suretyship Sections 680 - 701
- Titles XII Mortgage Sections 702 - 746
- Title XIII Pledge Sections 747 - 769
- Title XIV Warehousing Sections 770 - 796
- Title XV Agency Sections 797 - 844 (duties and liabilities agent and principal)
- Title XVI Brokerage Sections 845 - 849
- Title XVII Compromise Sections 850 - 852
- Title XVIII Gambling and Betting Sections 853 - 855
- Title XIX Current Account Sections 856 - 860
- Title XX Insurance Sections 861 - 897 (no translation available)
- Title XXI Bills Sections (no translation available)
- Title XXII Partnership and Companies
- Chapter I General Provisions Sections 1012 - 1024
- Chapter II Ordinary Partnerships 1025 - 1076
- Chapter III Limited Partnerships 1077 - 1095
- Chapter IV Limited Companies
- Part I Nature and Formation of Limited Companies Sections 1096 - 1116
- Part II Shares and Shareholders Sections 1117 - 1207
- Part III Management of Limited Companies Sections 1144 - 1207(directors, meetings, dividend, accounts)
- Part IV Audit and Auditors Sections 1208 - 1214
- Part V Inspection Sections 1215 - 1219
- Part VI Increase and Reductions of Capital Sections 1220 -1228
- Part VII Debentures Sections 1229 - 1235
- Part VIII Dissolution Sections 1236 - 1237
- Part IX Amalgamation of Limited Companies Sections 1238 - 1243
- Part X Notices Sections 1244 - 1245
- Part XI Removal of Defunct Companies from Register Sections 1246 - 1246
- Part XII Transformation of a Registered Partnership and a Limited Partnership to a Limited Company Sections 1246/1 - 1246/7
- Chapter V Liquidation of Registered Partnership, Limited Partnership and Limited Companies Sections 1247 - 1273
- Chapter VI Removal of Registered Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and Limited Companies from the Register Sections 1273/1 - 1273/4
- Title XXIII Associations (repealed)