Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled: Bitcoin counts as “property” under criminal law—but it is not legal tender.
Key facts: Case No. 4929/2569 (2026-10-28). In a 2022 armed robbery on Koh Samui, the defendants forced tourists to exchange about US$50,000 for approximately 2.480801 BTC (worth about 1.878 million baht at the time) and then transfer it. After their sentences were reduced for cooperation at trial, they received 10 years. The defendants appealed, arguing that “Bitcoin has no real value.” The Supreme Court rejected that argument: because it has a market price, can be traded, and can be exchanged for baht, it qualifies as property that can be stolen. The court also cited the framework established by the 2018 digital asset decree. At the same time, it drew a clear line: under the central bank’s position, BTC is still not legal tender like the baht.
Thailand’s Supreme Court has set a precedent on whether crypto assets can be pursued under traditional property-crime laws and ordered returned.
#比特币 #泰国 #Regulation
Key facts: Case No. 4929/2569 (2026-10-28). In a 2022 armed robbery on Koh Samui, the defendants forced tourists to exchange about US$50,000 for approximately 2.480801 BTC (worth about 1.878 million baht at the time) and then transfer it. After their sentences were reduced for cooperation at trial, they received 10 years. The defendants appealed, arguing that “Bitcoin has no real value.” The Supreme Court rejected that argument: because it has a market price, can be traded, and can be exchanged for baht, it qualifies as property that can be stolen. The court also cited the framework established by the 2018 digital asset decree. At the same time, it drew a clear line: under the central bank’s position, BTC is still not legal tender like the baht.
Thailand’s Supreme Court has set a precedent on whether crypto assets can be pursued under traditional property-crime laws and ordered returned.
#比特币 #泰国 #Regulation
