Thanakorn discussed lawyer Jittri and Forex cases as clear proof that the country needs skilled people to keep up with complex, concealed cases. He pointed out that the draft amendments to the Civil Procedure Code and the Judicial Service Act enhance and add case officers but do not increase the number of judges.
On 24 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, party-list MP of the Bhumjaithai Party and former Minister of Industry, debated drafts amending the Civil Procedure Code and the Judicial Service Act. He said that good justice must reach people promptly. Courts now face rising case numbers, increasingly complex disputes, and more detailed evidence. Financial transactions and electronic and digital data require system adjustments to reflect reality. These two drafts do not add judges but improve judicial efficiency so people receive faster justice. Currently, about 2 million cases enter the system annually, with approximately 2,800 first-instance judges nationwide handling 300–400 cases each per year, inevitably increasing court workloads.
"Adding court assistants or case officers does not increase judges. The key point of the draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Code is to define the legal status and role of case officers clearly, enabling them to systematically assist courts. The Judicial Service Act draft elevates case officers to specialized judicial officials and allows law graduates with at least four years’ experience as case officers to use that experience as a qualification to apply for judicial positions. This builds quality legal personnel from those with real justice system experience," Thanakorn said.
Thanakorn added that case officers have no authority to adjudicate cases, interpret laws, or resolve disputes; such powers remain solely with judges. Currently, there are 481 case officer positions distributed nationwide, but career advancement paths have been unclear. This draft law fills that gap by giving experienced, knowledgeable case officers the chance to advance into the judiciary, creating quality legal professionals for the country long-term.
"I cite the example of lawyer Jittri; a judge facing such cases would be even more stressed. Although it was just a drama, similar situations may occur in real life. Likewise, Forex investment scam cases clearly show we need skilled people to help judges keep pace with complex cases. Therefore, effective reform does not always require building a new system but improving the current system to serve the public better," Thanakorn said.