What Does Thailand Law Say About Lost Items and Ownership?

[Page updated 30 April 2024]

Upfront Disclaimer – The following is what we can discern from the laws covering lost and found items in Thailand. We do not claim to know Thai law well enough to help you with any legal case or actions. Please consult a Thai lawyer who specializes in Lost and Found items as found in the Civil and Commercial Code.

If you’re wondering what Thailand Law says about items that are lost and found by another person, you’ve come to right page. Laws about lost items that are found by someone else differ all over the world. In some countries, the person who found the item is viewed as the new owner. Finder’s keepers sort of thing. Is that the way it is in Thailand?

If you need to file a LOST ITEM REPORT, do it here now before you do anything. The faster you let us know, the better chance you have of finding your lost item(s) in Thailand.

Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code Regarding Lost and Found Items

  • Finder’s Obligation. Section 1323 states that whoever finds lost property is obligated to deliver it within three days to the police or a competent official. They must also provide any details that might help identify the rightful owner.
  • Ownership. While the law doesn’t explicitly state immediate ownership transfer, it implies the original owner retains ownership. The finder acts as a custodian with a responsibility to return the lost item.
  • Finder’s Reward. The finder can claim a reward from the rightful owner. The reward is capped at 10% of the item’s value, with a government fee potentially added. However, the finder loses the right to a reward if they don’t follow the legal procedures.

Those are the main points. As you might guess, few people are going to take the time to go through filing a polic report about items they found. However, the law says that is the process to follow.

Interesting, for someone who has lost an item in Thailand, the owner retains ownership. The finder of an item acts as a custodian (keeper) and has a responsibility to get the item back to the original owner.

Yet, there’s more to Thailand’s lost and found laws than just the finder’s obligation. Here are some additional points to consider:

  • Unclaimed Lost Items. Section 1328 deals with unclaimed valuables. If no owner claims a lost item within a specific timeframe (the exact duration can vary depending on interpretation), ownership might transfer to the state. The finder, if they followed proper procedures, could receive a one-third reward for the item’s value.
  • Good Faith Purchase. Section 1329 protects good faith purchasers. If someone buys a lost item from an unauthorized seller believing it was legitimately acquired, they may retain ownership even if the original owner surfaces later.
  • Hidden or Buried Treasures. Section 1328 also addresses hidden valuables. If the finder discovers a valuable item that appears intentionally hidden or buried with no apparent owner, the ownership defaults to the state. The finder can still claim a reward under these circumstances.
  • Misappropriation. Thailand has laws against misappropriation of lost property. If a finder keeps a lost item without following legal procedures, they could face criminal charges.

Important Note: While this information provides a general overview, Thai law can be complex. For specific legal advice on a lost and found situation, it’s always recommended to consult with a Thai lawyer who can help you see the intricacies of the law and what might happen if you pursue a court case regarding your lost or found item.

Here’s what we found at Thailandlawonline.com – This seems to be copied directly from the statutes concerning lost and found property.

Section 1323. A person who finds lost property is bound:

  1. to deliver it to the loser, the owner or any other person entitled to receive it, or
  2. to inform without delay to the loser, the owner or any other person entitled to receive it, or
  3. to deliver it within three days to the police or other competent official and inform them of all circumstances within his knowledge which may be material for the person who is entitled to receive it.

However, the procedure provided in sub-section 3 must be followed it the loser, owner or other person entitled to receive the property is unknown or does not take delivery of it.

In any case the property found must be kept with reasonable care until delivery.

Section 1324. A finder of lost property may claim from the person entitled to receive it a reward of ten per cent of the value of the property up to thirty thousand baht, and five per cent on the additional value. However, if he delivers the property to the police or other competent official, two and a half per cent of the value of the property shall, in addition to the reward, be paid as a fee to the Government service concerned, but, in no case, shall such fee exceed one thousand baht.

The finder is not entitled to any reward if he does not comply with the provisions of the foregoing section.

Section 1325. If the finder of lost property has complied with the provisions of Section 1323 and the person entitled to receive it has not claimed it within one year from the day of find, the ownership vested in the finder.

However, if the unclaimed property is an antique object, the ownership vested in the State, but the finder is entitled to receive a reward of ten per cent of its value.

In Summary

In Thailand, if someone finds lost property, they’re supposed to return it to the owner, tell the owner they have it, or report it to the local police station within 3 days. The police then keep the item for a period of time to give the owner a chance to claim it. If nobody claims it within that time, the finder can claim ownership after one year.

However, if the owner does come forward during that time and can prove the item is theirs, they have the right to reclaim it. If the finder refuses to return it, they could face legal consequences. This straightforward process helps to ensure lost items get back to their rightful owners while preventing folks from just claiming stuff that isn’t theirs.

If you need to file a LOST ITEM REPORT, do it here now before you do anything. The faster you let us know, the better chance you have of finding your lost item(s) in Thailand.