Structure and Jurisdiction

The Administrative Courts have the competence to try and adjudicate administrative cases as prescribed by law. The Courts are divided into two levels: the Supreme Administrative Court and the Administrative Courts of First Instance.

1. The Supreme Administrative Court

     The Supreme Administrative Court is a single court and therefore has jurisdiction over the whole country. A case within the competence of the Supreme Administrative Court (under Section 11) shall be filed directly with the Supreme Administrative Court, no matter where the cause of action arose or the plaintiff is domiciled. However, a case needs to be filed in accordance with the rules provided by the law.

      In the Supreme Administrative Court, there are administrative judges holding the following positions:

          1) President of the Supreme Administrative Court;

          2) Vice Presidents of the Supreme Administrative Court;

          3) Presidents of chambers of the Supreme Administrative Court;

          4) Judges of the Supreme Administrative Court;

          5) Judges of the Supreme Administrative Court called by other names as provided in the Notification of the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts (J.C.A.C.).

Quorum for Trial and Adjudication of Cases in the Supreme Administrative Court

        In the Supreme Administrative Court, a quorum for trial and adjudication requires at least five Supreme Administrative Court judges.

     In Administrative Court procedure, there are two important positions which are not attached to the salary scale and emolument scale of administrative judges: a judge-rapporteur and a judge-commissioner of justice. The judge-rapporteur is appointed by the President of a chamber of the Supreme Administrative Court from administrative judges in his or her chamber. The judge-commissioner of justice is appointed by the President of the Supreme Administrative Court from administrative judges of the Supreme Administrative Court or the Administrative Courts of First Instance.

2. The Administrative Courts of First Instance

    The Administrative Courts of First Instance are divided into the Central Administrative Court and Regional Administrative Courts.

   1) The Central Administrative Court has jurisdiction over Bangkok Metropolitan Area and the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon as well as provinces outside the jurisdiction of Regional Administrative Courts. At present, such provinces include Nakhon Nayok and Saraburi. It can also accept to try and adjudicate cases within the jurisdiction of Regional Administrative Courts which are filed with the Central Administrative Court.

    2) Regional Administrative Courts having jurisdiction over local provinces as prescribed under Section 94 shall be set up and prescribed their jurisdictions in consideration of the amount of litigation and personnel administration of an Administrative Court. However, it is not yet possible to open Regional Administrative Courts in all provinces as prescribed in the Act so the General Assembly of Judges of the Supreme Administrative Court has the power to prescribe Regional Administrative Courts already in operation to have additional jurisdiction over nearby provinces as may be required in order to render justice to the people. At present, there are fourteen Regional Administrative Courts having jurisdiction over all provinces across the country.       

     In each Administrative Court of First Instance, there are administrative judges holding the following positions:

          1) President of an Administrative Court of First Instance;

          2) Vice Presidents of an Administrative Court of First Instance;

          3) Presidents of chambers of an Administrative Court of First Instance;

          4) Judges of an Administrative Court of First Instance; and

          5) Judges of an Administrative Court of First Instance called by other names as provided in the Notification of the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts (J.C.A.C.).

Quorum for Trial and Adjudication of Cases in the Administrative Courts of First Instance

     In the Administrative Courts of First Instance, a quorum requires at least three judges for trial and adjudication.

    In Administrative Court procedure, there are two important positions: a judge-rapporteur and a judge-commissioner of justice. President of a chamber of an Administrative Court of First Instance shall appoint himself/herself or an administrative judge in his or her chamber as the judge-rapporteur. A chamber of an Administrative Court of First Instance may include the President, Vice President, President of a chamber or judge of an Administrative Court of First Instance. Any of these judges can be appointed as the judge-rapporteur. 

    In addition, the President of an Administrative Court of First Instance shall appoint a judge-commissioner of justice from administrative judges in that Court who is not a judge in the chamber carrying out the trial and adjudication of the case concerned.