Judicial Power in the Kingdom

     The Kingdom of Thailand has a sovereignty that can be divided into 3 branches of powers and the King exercises it through the parliament (legislative power), the cabinet (executive power) and the courts of justice (JUDICIAL POWER). Judicial power is the branch of power to facilitate good administration of justice to people throughout the Kingdom. Its power is also exercised by the justices who are appointed by the King. It is one stand in a check and balance system in the Kingdom.

Courts

     The Courts of Justice are classified into 3 tiers consisting of the First Instance Court, the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.

1. First Instance Court

     The First Instance Courts are categorized as general courts, juvenile and family courts and specialized courts. The general courts are ordinary courts which have authorities to try and adjudicate criminal and civil cases. Those courts are: Civil Courts, Criminal Courts and District Courts (Kwaeng Courts).

2. Appeal Court

     The Appeal Court consists of the Appeal Court and 9 Regional Appeal Courts. The Appeal Court handles an appeal against the judgment or order of the Civil Courts and the Criminal Courts. Meanwhile, the Regional Appeal Courts handle an appeal against the judgment or order of the other First Instance Courts. The jurisdictions of the Regional Appeal Courts are consistent with the jurisdictions of the Regional 1-9 First Instance Courts.

3. Supreme Court

     The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal in all civil and criminal cases in the whole Kingdom. The President of the Supreme Court is the head of the Courts of Justice. In the present system of the Courts of Justice, the President of the Supreme Court plays a great role in judicial and administrative works.