Act on Establishment of Administrative Courts and Administrative Court Procedure B.E. 2542 (1999)
Defines administrative cases, the courts’ jurisdiction and filing deadlines that are generally shorter than in civil cases.
Practice area
Administrative Law & Appeals Against State Decisions
Challenging unfair administrative decisions through the correct procedure and deadlines.
When a state agency issues a decision affecting your rights — refusing renewal, revoking a permit, imposing an administrative fine or rejecting an application — you may appeal internally and file with the Administrative Court within strict deadlines. We assess the legality of the decision, prepare the appeal, the complaint and any stay application, and act through to the Supreme Administrative Court.
What this practice covers
- Legality review of administrative orders
- Internal appeals filed within the statutory deadline
- Filings before the Administrative Court and Supreme Administrative Court
- Applications to stay enforcement pending judgment
- Licensing, public procurement and administrative contract disputes
- Disciplinary and benefit disputes involving state officials
- Compensation claims for wrongful acts by state agencies
- Official information requests to support the case
How we work on your matter
- 1Reading the order and checking authority, procedure and stated reasons
- 2Confirming the appeal deadline and the limitation period
- 3Gathering documents and requesting further information from the agency
- 4Preparing and filing the appeal or complaint with supporting evidence
- 5Conducting proceedings and responding to the judge-rapporteur
- 6Following the outcome and acting on the judgment
Documents to prepare
- The order or notification, with proof of the date it was received
- The original application and documents submitted to the agency
- The relevant licence or evidence of the right affected
- All correspondence with the officials involved
- Evidence of the loss caused by the decision
- Power of attorney for administrative proceedings
Points to watch
- Administrative appeal and filing deadlines are short and strictly applied.
- Internal appeal is generally required before the court will accept the case.
- Filing does not suspend the order automatically; a stay must be requested separately.
- Outcomes rest with the court; we cannot guarantee results.
Typical timeframe
Internal appeals follow the timeframe in the governing statute; Administrative Court cases typically run longer than ordinary civil litigation because the court conducts its own fact-finding.
Timeframes are indicative only and depend on the authority, the court calendar and the completeness of your documents.
Reading the order properly before challenging it
A lawful administrative order must come from an authorised officer, follow the prescribed procedure and carry adequate reasons. An effective challenge therefore does not simply disagree; it identifies which of those three elements failed — for example, no opportunity to be heard before issuance, or no statement of the reasons and legal basis relied on.
The date of notification is the element most often overlooked, because appeal periods run from it. We ask clients to keep the envelope, delivery receipt or electronic record — these small documents decide whether the case is heard at all or dismissed as out of time.
Laws that govern this matter
Summarised for general understanding only. The application of each provision depends on the facts of your case.
Administrative Procedure Act B.E. 2539 (1996)
Administrative orders must state reasons and inform the right of appeal; failure to do so can extend the appeal period.
Official Information Act B.E. 2540 (1997)
Used to obtain the agency file so the reasoning behind an order can be examined before challenging it.
Act on Liability for Wrongful Acts of Officials B.E. 2539 (1996)
Sets out state and official liability and the route to claim compensation.
Example situations and how they are handled
These are constructed examples used to explain procedure. They are not client matters, and no outcome is implied or guaranteed.
Illustrative scenario: licence revoked without warning
Situation: A business receives a revocation notice without having been given a chance to respond.
Usual approach: First examine procedural legality — right to be heard, stated reasons, and the issuer’s authority — then consider the internal appeal plus a stay request alongside the court filing. (Hypothetical.)
Illustrative scenario: disqualified from a public procurement
Situation: A bidder is disqualified on technical grounds it believes are wrong.
Usual approach: Request the evaluation records and object through the procurement rules immediately — the deadlines are short and affect later court rights.
Advice for your specific situation
Recipients of an administrative order
- Keep the envelope and proof of the receipt date — it starts the appeal clock.
- Filing does not automatically suspend the order — a separate stay application is required.
Businesses working with state agencies
- Keep correspondence with the agency organised — administrative cases turn largely on documents.
- Check whether an internal appeal is a precondition — skipping it can render the case inadmissible.
Every matter — what to do in the first 7 days
- Gather every original document in one place, keep scanned copies, and note the date you received each one.
- Write a dated timeline — the date you received a notice or learned of the event usually starts the limitation or appeal clock.
- Do not sign a settlement, debt acknowledgement or withdrawal before a lawyer reviews it — it may extinguish existing rights.
- Preserve digital evidence unaltered (full screenshots, original files, emails with headers) — edited files are easy to challenge.
This service in your province
Province pages set out the courts and authorities with jurisdiction locally, and answer the questions people in that area ask.
Frequently asked questions
My application was refused — what can I do?
Check the notification for the stated appeal right and deadline, file the internal appeal in time, and if the result is still unfair, proceed to the Administrative Court.
Can a foreign national file in the Thai Administrative Court?
Yes, where they are affected by a Thai state decision. Proceedings are in Thai and foreign documents need certified translations.
Are there court fees?
Many administrative cases are fee-free, except claims for money or delivery of property, which are charged on the amount claimed.
Can the order be suspended during the case?
You may request a stay; the court weighs the harm to the claimant against the public interest.
Related services
Other practice areas
Litigation & Court RepresentationCivil, criminal, labour, family, succession and land disputesCorporate & CommercialIncorporation, contracts, foreign business, BOI and complianceImmigration & Foreign NationalsVisas, work permits, residency and lawful statusIntellectual PropertyTrademarks, copyright, patents and enforcementLand & Real EstateTitle due diligence, sale, lease and transfer at the Land OfficeFamily & SuccessionMarriage, divorce, custody, wills and estate administrationMediation, Arbitration & EnforcementResolving disputes outside court and making awards effectiveNotarial Services & International DocumentsSignature and document certification, translation, consular and embassy legalisationBOI Promotion & Foreign Business LicensingStructuring foreign investment in Thailand correctly from day one.Tax, Accounting & Employer ComplianceKeeping every statutory tax and accounting deadline under control.PDPA & Data Protection ComplianceBuilding data protection practices that match Thailand’s PDPA.Condominium & Foreign Property OwnershipChecking title, documents and transfer before a major payment is made.Employment & Labour LawAdvising employers and employees under the Labour Protection Act.Integrated Legal Support ServicesInterpreters, documents, agency runs and case tracking in one place.Judgment Enforcement & Asset TracingTurning a judgment into actual recovery through lawful tracing, seizure and attachment.M&A & Legal Due DiligenceChecking what you are buying and structuring the deal so it can actually close.Cybercrime, Online Fraud & Asset RecoveryActing quickly when money is transferred by deception or rights are violated online.Company Secretarial & Corporate RegistrationsKeeping registrations, meetings and statutory records complete and on time.Wills, Succession & Estate AdministrationDrafting wills that hold up, and administering estates correctly under Thai law.Monthly Retainer Counsel for Businesses & ExpatriatesA standing legal team that knows your business, without hiring in-house staff.
Speak with an attorney about your matter
Tell us the facts and we will explain the options, the documents required and the realistic timeframe before you decide.