Key Takeaways
- Thailand has bilateral extradition treaties with 16 countries; the most recent in force is with Hungary, since 19 April 2019.
- The Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) governs every request, read together with any treaty with the requesting state.
- An offence is extraditable if it’s a crime in both states and punishable by at least 1 year of imprisonment.
- Herrera & Partners (H&P) has handled extradition cases in Thailand where a person’s initial consent to extradition was later withdrawn.
Thailand has entered into 16 bilateral extradition treaties with foreign jurisdictions across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. The trend is that Thailand will be implementing more international treaties on the matter of extraditions in the upcoming years.
The most recent treaty in force is with Hungary. Thailand is one of the most active jurisdictions in Southeast Asia in terms of extradition cooperation. This approach of the Thai regulator in extraditions and international cooperation in justice matters is consistent with the local Thai regulation.
Thailand’s 16 bilateral extradition treaties
| Region | Countries with a bilateral extradition treaty with Thailand |
| Europe | United Kingdom, Belgium, Hungary |
| Americas | United States, Canada |
| Asia | China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh |
| Oceania | Australia, Fiji |
Australia, Canada, Fiji and Malaysia apply the 1911 treaty between Siam and the United Kingdom through succession.
Russia signed an extradition treaty with Thailand in 2024. However, the treaty has not yet been incorporated into Thai domestic law through the enactment of an implementing Act.
Governing framework: the Extradition Act B.E. 2551
Extradition in Thailand is primarily regulated by the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and, where applicable, by the provisions of a bilateral treaty with the requesting state. While treaties set out specific obligations, all extradition proceedings remain subject to the mandatory requirements of Thai law.
Extraditable offences under Thai law
An offence is generally extraditable if:
- It constitutes a criminal offence under both Thai law and the law of the requesting state (double criminality).
- It is punishable by death, imprisonment, or another deprivation of liberty for at least one year.
The offence does not need to carry the same name or classification in both jurisdictions; what matters is whether the conduct is criminal in both countries. Some treaties may impose additional requirements or thresholds.
Grounds for refusing extradition
Extradition may be denied in several circumstances:
- Political or military offences (with “military offences” limited to those under military law).
- Double jeopardy: where the person has already been acquitted or convicted for the same conduct.
- Expired limitation period or other legal bars to prosecution or punishment.
Extradition of Thai nationals
Special rules apply to Thai citizens. A Thai national may be extradited if:
- The applicable treaty expressly allows it.
- The individual consents (though consent may later be withdrawn).
- Extradition is based on reciprocity between Thailand and the requesting state.
Each case involving a Thai national requires careful examination of the treaty provisions and the legal basis for extradition.
Rule of specialty
Under the rule of specialty, an extradited person may only be prosecuted or punished for the offence for which extradition was granted, unless exceptions are provided in the treaty or Thai law. Requests must clearly specify the offences, supporting facts, and relevant legal provisions.
Extradition procedure in Thailand
Extradition requests are submitted to Thailand’s Central Authority, the Attorney General. Requests must include:
- Identification details of the person sought.
- Facts of the offence.
- Applicable legal provisions.
- Supporting documents such as arrest warrants, detention orders, or judgments.
The Thai courts then assess whether statutory requirements are met, including identity, extraditable nature of the offence, double criminality, and grounds for refusal. In practice, close attention to arrest warrants and Interpol notices is often critical in challenging extradition requests.
Provisional arrest may be requested in urgent cases before a formal extradition request is filed.
Cooperation without a treaty: reciprocity
Thailand may cooperate with states that lack a bilateral treaty, provided the requirements of the Extradition Act are satisfied and reciprocity is established.
Case-by-case assessment
Where a treaty exists, its provisions must be read alongside the Extradition Act. Each extradition request is therefore assessed individually, considering both Thai law and the specific treaty. In the absence of a treaty, reciprocity governs.
For legal consultation on extradition procedures in Thailand, contact our Bangkok international and criminal lawyers at contact@thailandextradition.com
Frequently asked questions
How many extradition treaties does Thailand have? Thailand has 16 bilateral extradition treaties: the UK, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, Belgium, Indonesia, the Philippines, the US, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, South Korea, India and Hungary.
Does Thailand have an extradition treaty with Russia? Russia and Thailand signed an extradition treaty in Moscow on 23 October 2024, and Russia ratified it in June 2025. Thailand hasn’t yet incorporated it into domestic law through an implementing Act.
Does Thailand extradite its own citizens? It can. Section 12 of the Extradition Act allows it where the treaty provides for it, the person consents, or extradition rests on reciprocity between Thailand and the requesting state.
Can Thailand extradite to a country without a treaty? Yes. The Extradition Act allows extradition on the basis of reciprocity, where the requesting state shows it would grant extradition to Thailand in a similar case.
What is the minimum offence for extradition from Thailand? Under Section 7 of the Extradition Act, the conduct must be a crime in both countries, punishable by death or by imprisonment or other deprivation of liberty of 1 year or more.
What is the rule of specialty in extradition? An extradited person may only be prosecuted or punished for the offence for which extradition was granted, unless the applicable treaty or Thai law provides an exception.
