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Thailand's Supreme Court recognizes Bitcoin as property in criminal robbery case

Thailand's Supreme Court ruled that Bitcoin qualifies as property under the country's criminal law, upholding a 10-year prison sentence and an order to return stolen digital assets.

Exterior of the Supreme Court of Thailand building behind ornate entrance gates under a blue sky.
Image: @cryptodotnews

Thailand's Supreme Court has ruled that Bitcoin qualifies as property under criminal law and can be subject to theft and robbery offenses, according to reporting by Crypto Briefing and analyst Crypto Patel. The decision, issued under Judgment No. 4929/2569, rejected a defendant's appeal and affirmed a 10-year prison sentence.[1][2][3]

The criminal case stemmed from a robbery in which a foreign tourist was forced to exchange $50,000, or roughly 1,878,000 Thai baht, into 2.480801 BTC that was transferred to the perpetrators. In addition to upholding the prison term, the court ordered the return of the stolen Bitcoin or equivalent compensation.[1][2]

In a majority decision citing Thailand's Digital Asset Business Act B.E. 2561 (2018), the court held that cryptocurrency possesses market value, can be owned, and is transferable as a medium of exchange. The ruling noted that while the Bank of Thailand does not treat cryptocurrency as legal tender, the transferred assets fulfilled the legal elements of a property offense.[1][2]

Key facts

  • Thailand's Supreme Court held in Judgment No. 4929/2569 that Bitcoin qualifies as property under Thai criminal law.
  • The ruling upheld a 10-year prison sentence in a robbery case involving the theft of 2.480801 BTC from a foreign tourist.
  • The victim had converted $50,000, or approximately 1,878,000 Thai baht, into Bitcoin before transferring it to the perpetrators.
  • The court ordered the perpetrators to return the stolen Bitcoin or pay equivalent compensation.
  • The ruling affirmed Bitcoin's market value and transferability under the Digital Asset Business Act B.E. 2561 (2018) while maintaining that cryptocurrency is not legal tender in Thailand.

Sources 路 3 sources

  1. CP

    Crypto Patel@CryptoPatelPost on X 路

    馃嚬馃嚟 THAILAND SUPREME COURT RECOGNIZES BITCOIN AS PROPERTY Thailand鈥檚 Supreme Court has recognized Bitcoin as property under Thai law in a major cryptocurrency-related criminal case. 馃敼 2.480801 BTC was reportedly stolen from a foreign tourist during a robbery. 馃敼 The court upheld a 10-year prison sentence and an order to return the Bitcoin or pay equivalent compensation. 馃敼 The ruling recognizes Bitcoin鈥檚 market value, transferability and exchangeability. This strengthens the legal basis for protecting Bitcoin holders against crypto theft. Bitcoin is NOT legal tender in Thailand. The ruling concerns property rights in a specific criminal case.

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  2. CB

    Crypto Briefing@Crypto_BriefingPost on X 路

    鈿栵笍ICYMI: Thailand's Supreme Court has ruled that Bitcoin qualifies as property under the country's criminal law and can be subject to theft and robbery offenses. https://t.co/godpTpBYwm

    Open source
  3. CB

    Crypto BriefingArticle 路

    Thailand鈥檚 Supreme Court rules Bitcoin qualifies as property in robbery case This ruling strengthens legal protections for crypto owners in Thailand, potentially influencing future property crime cases involving digital assets. The post Thailand鈥檚 Supreme Court rules Bitcoin qualifies as property in robbery case appeared first on Crypto Briefing .

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