Recently in Pattaya a viral story about an Australian national being arrested at a pharmacy for stealing a 350 Baht package of vitamins caused major discussion on our social media platforms and brought thousands of views on our YouTube channel, as seen below.
Now, we wanted to highlight some of the shoplifting laws in Thailand, as presented by our friends and sponsors at Anglo Siam Legal here in Pattaya.
In Thailand, shoplifting is taken very seriously and is strictly prosecuted regardless of the monetary amount stolen. This differs significantly from some Western countries that don’t treat minor or petty thefts under certain monetary amounts as seriously. Here are some key points about the laws and penalties:
- Definition and Penalties: Shoplifting falls under Section 334 of the Thai Penal Code. It is defined as dishonestly taking away any property of another person. The penalty for shoplifting, even in the smallest of amounts, can be imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to 6,000 baht.
- Aggravating Circumstances: If the theft occurs under certain conditions, such as at night, in a place of public worship, or by using a disguise, the penalties can be more severe, with additional imprisonment ranging from one to seven years and fines from 2,000 to 14,000 baht. This is commonly used for overnight theft and means stealing something at night, or even wearing a mask, can basically double your prison time and fines. Again, the monetary amount of the theft doesn’t necessarily matter.
- Detention and Deportation: Arrests for shoplifting, even for low-value items, can result in large fines and lengthy detention. In some cases for foreign nationals, this can be followed by deportation.
- Airport Incidents: If accused of shoplifting at the airport, you may be detained and could miss your flight at your own expense.
This being said, as in the recent case of the Australian expat, financial settlements between parties are often settled privately to avoid pressing charges and moving the case to court. This is not, however, a guarantee. Had the case of the Australian man gone to a Thai court, despite the small monetary value of the item and his advanced age, he still could have faced significant jail time and deportation.
Consider reaching out to Anglo Siam Legal for assistance with any problems you may have had or questions regarding legal matters, including legal issues around shoplifting.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
