Basic Legal Terms

Before diving into more complex legal vocabulary, it’s important to understand some basic legal terms in Thai. These terms will serve as the building blocks for more advanced legal language.

Law (กฎหมาย – Kotmai): This is the general term for “law” in Thai. It’s the cornerstone of all legal discussions and documents.

Legal (กฎหมาย – Kotmai): Interestingly, the term for “legal” is also “กฎหมาย” (Kotmai) in Thai. Context usually helps to distinguish between “law” and “legal.”

Illegal (ผิดกฎหมาย – Phit Kotmai): This term means “illegal” or “against the law.”

Constitution (รัฐธรรมนูญ – Ratthathammanoon): The fundamental law of the land, similar to the constitution in other countries.

Court (ศาล – San): The place where legal matters are adjudicated.

Judge (ผู้พิพากษา – Phu Pipaksa): The official who presides over court proceedings.

Lawyer (ทนายความ – Thanai Khwam): A professional who practices law and represents clients.

Defendant (จำเลย – Chamloei): The person or party against whom a legal action is brought.

Plaintiff (โจทก์ – Chok): The person or party who initiates a legal action.

Criminal Law Terms

Criminal law is a significant area of the legal system, dealing with crimes and their punishments. Here are some key terms used in Thai criminal law:

Crime (อาชญากรรม – Achayakam): This is the general term for “crime.”

Criminal (อาชญากร – Achayakon): A person who commits a crime.

Prosecution (การฟ้องร้อง – Kan Fongrong): The act of charging someone with a crime and pursuing legal action against them.

Defense (การป้องกัน – Kan Pongkan): The act of defending against a criminal charge.

Arrest (การจับกุม – Kan Chapkum): The act of apprehending someone suspected of a crime.

Evidence (หลักฐาน – Lakthan): Information or objects presented in court to prove or disprove allegations.

Guilty (มีความผิด – Mi Khwam Phit): A verdict stating that the defendant committed the crime.

Not Guilty (ไม่มีความผิด – Mai Mi Khwam Phit): A verdict stating that the defendant did not commit the crime.

Sentence (คำพิพากษา – Kham Pipaksa): The punishment assigned to a person found guilty of a crime.

Imprisonment (การจำคุก – Kan Chamkook): The act of confining someone in prison as a form of punishment.

Civil Law Terms

Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, usually involving compensation. Here are some essential civil law terms in Thai:

Civil Case (คดีแพ่ง – Khadi Pheng): A legal case involving civil law issues.

Contract (สัญญา – Sanya): A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

Breach of Contract (การละเมิดสัญญา – Kan Lamoet Sanya): The act of breaking the terms of a contract.

Damages (ค่าเสียหาย – Kha Siahai): Financial compensation awarded to a party in a civil case.

Liability (ความรับผิดชอบ – Khwam Rapphit Chorp): Legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions.

Negligence (ความประมาท – Khwam Pramat): The failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another party.

Tort (การละเมิด – Kan Lamoet): A wrongful act or infringement of a right leading to civil legal liability.

Injunction (คำสั่งศาล – Kham Sang San): A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act.

Settlement (การตกลง – Kan Toklong): An agreement reached between parties to resolve a dispute without going to trial.

Family Law Terms

Family law addresses issues related to family relationships, such as marriage, divorce, and child custody. Here are some common family law terms in Thai:

Marriage (การสมรส – Kan Somrot): The legal union of two individuals as spouses.

Divorce (การหย่า – Kan Ya): The legal dissolution of a marriage.

Child Custody (การปกครองบุตร – Kan Pokkrong But): The legal right to make decisions about and care for a child.

Alimony (ค่าเลี้ยงดู – Kha Liangdu): Financial support paid to a spouse after divorce.

Adoption (การรับบุตรบุญธรรม – Kan Rappbut Buntam): The legal process of taking another person’s child into one’s family as one’s own.

Guardianship (การปกครอง – Kan Pokkrong): The legal responsibility for the care and management of a person, usually a minor or someone unable to manage their own affairs.

Prenuptial Agreement (สัญญาก่อนสมรส – Sanya Kon Somrot): A contract entered into before marriage outlining the division of assets in case of divorce.

Business and Commercial Law Terms

Business and commercial law governs business transactions and commercial relationships. Here are some vital terms in this area:

Business (ธุรกิจ – Thurakit): An organization or enterprising entity engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities.

Company (บริษัท – Borisat): A legal entity formed to conduct business.

Partnership (ห้างหุ้นส่วน – Hang Hun Suan): A business arrangement in which two or more individuals share ownership and profits.

Shareholder (ผู้ถือหุ้น – Phu Thue Hun): An individual or entity that owns shares in a company.

Merger (การควบรวมกิจการ – Kan Khwop Ruam Kitjakarn): The combination of two companies into one.

Acquisition (การเข้าซื้อกิจการ – Kan Khao Sue Kitjakarn): The purchase of one company by another.

Intellectual Property (ทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา – Sapasin Thang Panya): Creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce.

Trademark (เครื่องหมายการค้า – Khrueangmai Kan Kha): A recognizable sign, design, or expression identifying products or services of a particular source.

Bankruptcy (การล้มละลาย – Kan Lom Lalai): The legal status of a person or entity that cannot repay debts to creditors.

Contract Law (กฎหมายสัญญา – Kotmai Sanya): The body of law governing legally binding agreements.

Immigration Law Terms

Immigration law deals with the laws and regulations governing entry into and residence in a country. Here are some commonly used immigration law terms in Thai:

Visa (วีซ่า – Wisa): An official document allowing a person to enter or stay in a country for a specific period.

Residency (การพำนัก – Kan Phamnak): The status of living in a country for an extended period.

Citizenship (สัญชาติ – Sanchat): The status of being a citizen of a particular country.

Asylum (การลี้ภัย – Kan Liphai): Protection granted to individuals fleeing persecution in their home country.

Deportation (การเนรเทศ – Kan Nerethes): The act of expelling a person from a country.

Naturalization (การแปลงสัญชาติ – Kan Plaeng Sanchat): The legal process by which a non-citizen acquires citizenship.

Work Permit (ใบอนุญาตทำงาน – Bai Anuyat Tham Ngan): An official document allowing a foreigner to work in a country.

Immigrant (ผู้อพยพ – Phu Ophyop): A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.

Refugee (ผู้ลี้ภัย – Phu Liphai): A person forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Real Estate Law Terms

Real estate law governs the buying, selling, and use of land and property. Here are some essential terms in this field:

Property (ทรัพย์สิน – Sapasin): Anything owned by a person or entity, including land and buildings.

Real Estate (อสังหาริมทรัพย์ – Asangharimmasap): Property consisting of land and the buildings on it.

Lease (สัญญาเช่า – Sanya Chao): A contract granting use or occupation of property during a specified period in exchange for rent.

Mortgage (การจำนอง – Kan Chamnong): A legal agreement by which a bank or creditor lends money at interest in exchange for taking the title of the debtor’s property.

Tenant (ผู้เช่า – Phu Chao): A person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.

Landlord (เจ้าของบ้าน – Chao Khong Ban): A person who rents land or property to a tenant.

Foreclosure (การยึดทรัพย์ – Kan Yued Sap): The process by which a lender takes control of a property after the borrower fails to make mortgage payments.

Title Deed (โฉนดที่ดิน – Chanot Thidin): A legal document proving ownership of property.

Eviction (การขับไล่ – Kan Khap Lai): The legal process of removing a tenant from a property.

Zoning (การแบ่งเขต – Kan Baeng Khet): The process of dividing land into zones for different purposes, such as residential, commercial, or industrial.

Conclusion

Understanding these essential legal terms in the Thai language can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the Thai legal system, whether you are dealing with criminal, civil, family, business, immigration, or real estate law. While this list is not exhaustive, it provides a solid foundation for further study and understanding. If you find yourself frequently engaging with the Thai legal system, consider seeking additional resources or professional assistance to deepen your knowledge and ensure accurate communication and comprehension.

Learning legal terminology in any language can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. By familiarizing yourself with these common terms, you are taking an important step toward greater proficiency and confidence in dealing with legal matters in Thailand.