Theft, Embezzlement, Fraud, Extortion — What’s the Difference?

Many people are often confused between
“Theft”, “Embezzlement”, “Fraud”, “Extortion”, etc.
Although in Thai criminal law,
each offense has its own legal elements
and significantly different penalties.
I will explain these differences clearly,
along with penalties under the Penal Code.
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1. Theft (Section 334)
Taking another person’s property
without the owner’s consent,
and the offender
has no right over that property.
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Examples:
✅ Stealing items from a convenience store without staff knowing
✅ Secretly taking someone’s phone without permission
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Penalty:
Imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or fine not exceeding 6,000 Baht, or both.
(But if theft occurs at night, using a vehicle, or in an inhabited house — Section 335 — the penalty can be up to 7 years imprisonment.)
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2. Embezzlement (Section 352)
The owner voluntarily gives possession of the property,
or the offender lawfully possesses it in some capacity,
but then appropriates it for himself or misappropriates it.
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Examples:
✅ A cashier embezzling money from the drawer
✅ Receiving a bag to keep for a friend but selling it instead
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Penalty:
Imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or fine not exceeding 6,000 Baht, or both.
(But if it is property required to be returned, e.g. items made under contract of work — Section 353 — imprisonment up to 5 years.)
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3. Fraud (Section 341)
Using deception or trickery
causing misunderstanding
and making the victim
voluntarily transfer property.
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Examples:
✅ Tricking someone into transferring money by promising delivery of goods
✅ Pretending to be an officer to demand money for “case settlement”
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Penalty:
Imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or fine not exceeding 6,000 Baht, or both.
(But if it is fraud against the public — Section 343 —
the penalty is imprisonment 5–10 years and fine 100,000–200,000 Baht.)
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4. Extortion (Section 337)
Threatening or using violence
to make another person give property.
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Examples:
✅ Threatening to post private photos unless paid
✅ Forcing a friend to lend money by intimidation
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Penalty:
Imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or fine not exceeding 10,000 Baht, or both.
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5. Robbery (Section 338)
Similar to extortion
but involves immediate use of force or threat
to obtain property.
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Examples:
✅ Approaching someone and threatening with a knife to hand over wallet
✅ Snatching money on the street
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Penalty:
Imprisonment 5–10 years and fine 10,000–200,000 Baht.
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6. Snatching (Section 336)
Theft committed swiftly or by opportunity
in a public place
without using force or threat,
such as grabbing and running.
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Examples:
✅ Running and snatching a woman’s wallet while walking
✅ Grabbing a phone from someone’s hand and running away
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Penalty:
Imprisonment not exceeding 5 years and fine not exceeding 10,000 Baht.
(If aggravated — acting with more than one person, with a weapon, or causing injury — penalty increases under Section 336 paragraph 2.)
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But if you want to consign property for sale or rent,
that’s not a crime under any section.
Matching Property Company is ready to serve.
Tel: 095-645-9656
Line OA: @matchingproperty
Heeewwwwwwwww 😁😁😁
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Join the discussion at
https://www.facebook.com/Ex.MatchingProperty/posts/pfbid0HDTMuPQjtGjoCYhXTYz8nZnNaLwxwnjkNhHADGJdMphL6sBeF9DJjrkR8vAqmixbl