The "Justice Court" advances the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms by increasing flexibility in criminal cases, promoting the approach of "community service work instead of paying fines, at 500 baht per day," allowing installment payments based on economic conditions. This option is available from the plea hearing stage, with detention considered the last resort.
On 27 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Suriyan Hongwilai, spokesperson for the Justice Court, explained measures to protect citizens' rights during the enforcement of criminal fines. He noted that courts often face defendants unable to pay fines immediately due to economic constraints, financial status, or other necessities, which can lead to detention instead of payment. However, the Justice Court has implemented various methods to enforce fines when defendants lack funds, avoiding detention whenever possible.
Therefore, the Justice Court Administrative Committee appointed a Subcommittee on Promoting and Driving Measures to Protect Citizens' Rights, chaired by Deputy Supreme Court President Veerapong Sudawong, to compile and disseminate court practices emphasizing that "detention in lieu of fines should be a last resort." Since 2022, courts have permitted defendants to perform community service or public benefit work instead of paying fines, accounting for about 80% of all such requests. This practice begins at the plea hearing stage.
At this stage, courts inform defendants of their rights and offer the opportunity to request community or public benefit work instead of paying fines. If a defendant pleads guilty, the court asks if they wish to perform work under Criminal Code Section 30/1. If qualified and consenting, the court can authorize this immediately without a formal petition. For individual defendants, if the judgment orders a fine under Sections 29 and 30, it will also specify community service under Section 30/1.
However, courts have established exceptions for cases involving malicious intent, fraud, or offenses where property penalties aim to prevent benefits from wrongdoing. Such offenses are not eligible for community service as a fine alternative. These include public fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering, securities and stock market violations, financial institution crimes, and customs law violations, due to their widespread harm to victims.
Regarding calculation of time and work types, flexibility has been introduced to enhance defendants' quality of life by counting hours instead of days. Under the Criminal Code, one day of work equals a 500 baht fine. Judicial regulations define 2 hours of work as equivalent to one day. Work types vary, including assisting vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly, orphans, or patients; academic work; educational services; skilled crafts; and community service activities.
Additionally, participation in vocational training or skill development counts as 2 hours equaling one workday. For tasks posing health risks or excessive burdens—such as painting with chemicals, drain cleaning, or high-rise window washing—the court may use discretion to reduce required work hours for the defendant's benefit.
Beyond community service as a fine alternative, courts allow defendants without lump sums to request installment payments or extensions, considering the amount, financial status, offense nature, and sentencing intent. Defendants may be asked to list assets as security against default. During installments, courts may grant temporary release with clear payment dates and impose supervision measures such as regular check-ins, appointing supervisors, or requiring bail agreements.
"The Justice Court aims to improve fine enforcement measures to be flexible and genuinely fair," Mr. Suriyan said. "Offering defendants lacking resources the option to pay in installments or perform community service instead of fines seeks to reduce unnecessary detention and avoid penalizing defendants solely for inability to pay. This approach is accompanied by appropriate supervision to protect public interest, focusing on rehabilitating offenders and encouraging them to contribute to their communities and localities."
The Justice Court hopes that fine enforcement will be fair and beneficial, allowing offenders punished only by fines but lacking funds to repay society through community service and skill development, enabling them to reintegrate and start anew in society.