Supreme Court President's Recommendations to Prevent SLAPP Suits and Criminal Proceedings

Thairath•Politics•8h ago

Reader Briefing

The President of the Supreme Court has issued recommendations to curb malicious use of criminal proceedings and prevent 'SLAPP' lawsuits designed to intimidate or take advantage of defendants.

•The Royal Gazette published recommendations from the President of the Supreme Court dated May 30, 2026.
•These recommendations aim to prevent the misuse of criminal proceedings for intimidation and unfair advantage.
•The guidelines address situations where lawsuits are filed without good faith, distort facts, or are intended to harass.

Overview

•On May 30, 2026, the Royal Gazette published recommendations of the President of the Supreme Court.
•The President of the Supreme Court issued recommendations regarding the conduct of criminal proceedings without good faith in order to prevent SLAPP lawsuits.
•The recommendations are based on the principle that the use of court rights must be conducted in good faith, as it is the foundation of the rule of law and social order.
•Article 161/1 of the Criminal Procedure Code grants courts the authority to scrutinize the filing of criminal cases to ensure they are within the bounds of good faith and not for harassment.
•Recommendations were issued to ensure that the conduct of legal proceedings aligns with the intent of the law through careful, correct, and appropriate procedures.
•Recommendations define filing a lawsuit in bad faith or distorting facts to harass or take advantage of a defendant, or for purposes other than legitimate benefit, as unlawful.
•Courts may order plaintiffs to provide clarification and evidence if there is reasonable doubt that a lawsuit violates Article 161/1, in order to investigate and make a ruling.
•Courts may dismiss a lawsuit at the preliminary stage if it is clearly evident that the lawsuit violates the provisions of Article 161/1, paragraph one, in order to uphold justice.

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Key Entities

Person

President of the Supreme Court(ประธานศาลฎีกา)

Issued recommendations to prevent malicious lawsuits and misuse of criminal proceedings, as published in the Royal Gazette.

Organization

Royal Gazette(ราชกิจจาฯ)

Published the recommendations of the President of the Supreme Court regarding the conduct of criminal proceedings.

Law

Criminal Procedure Code, Section 161/1(ประมวลกฎหมายวิธีพิจารณาความอาญา มาตรา 161/1)

Grants courts the authority to review and filter the filing of criminal cases to ensure good faith.

Court Organization Act(พระธรรมนูญศาลยุติธรรม)

Provides the legal basis for the President of the Supreme Court to issue recommendations.