Are fines under Thai criminal law too low to affect large businesses? Thailand is establishing criteria for holding juristic persons liable separately from natural persons

Currently, the Thailand Penal Code does not explicitly have criteria for holding companies and other types of juristic persons criminally liable separately from natural persons, unless provided otherwise in specific laws, such as the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542. Being treated the same as natural persons without the consequence of being punished with imprisonment makes it more bearable for companies to commit a crime. This has led to some juristic persons being used as tools by directors for corrupt or illegal business practices.

To address this issue, the state has deemed it appropriate to establish specific criteria for criminal liability for juristic persons and corresponding punishments in the Thai Penal Code. This would provide a clear legal framework for Thai courts in determining more reasonable and proportionate criminal punishments for juristic persons based on their…