General information only, not advice on a specific case. Check the version of the law in force.
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Informal Loans and Excessive Interest in Thailand
Review the loan paper, what has already been paid and the complaint routes when a lender charges more than the law allows.
Quick answer
A lender that is not a regulated financial institution may charge at most 15% a year under Civil and Commercial Code s.654; a higher agreed rate is reduced to 15%. Section 4 of the Excessive Interest Rate Prohibition Act B.E. 2560 punishes, with up to two years' imprisonment, a fine of up to THB 200,000 or both, a lender who demands interest above the legal rate, falsifies the loan amount to hide it, or takes other benefits plainly beyond a fair proportion. We review the documents and payments before advising whether to negotiate, complain or defend a claim.
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Who this is for
- Borrowers charged very high daily or monthly interest on informal loans
- People made to sign a loan paper for more than they actually received
- Defendants sued on a loan carrying excessive interest
- People facing threats or public shaming over a debt
What you receive
- Review of the loan paper, receipts and transfer history
- Recalculation of the balance at the legally permitted rate
- Drafting a police complaint or a complaint to the relevant agency
- Defence of a claim and negotiation of a repayment plan
Documents to prepare
- Loan paper, receipts or chat messages showing the terms
- Transfer slips, bank book or cash-payment records
- The lender's name, phone number or receiving account
- Court summons or demand letters, if any
How it works
3-step process
- 1
Gather evidence
We collect proof of the amount actually received and every payment made, to compare with what the lender claims.
- 2
Recalculate and assess
We recalculate at 15% a year and assess whether the facts meet the elements of the section 4 offence.
- 3
Choose the route
Negotiate, file a police complaint, lodge a complaint or defend the claim, without guaranteeing outcome or timing.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the 15% cap apply to every lender?
Section 654 governs ordinary loans between persons. Financial institutions and some licensed lenders fall under specific laws and regulator notices, so the lender's status must be checked first.
Can I recover excess interest already paid?
It depends on the facts and the case law applied; the result may be a deduction from the balance or no recovery at all, so every payment record must be reviewed before assessing.
Is someone who takes over the debt also liable?
Section 5 of the 2560 Act applies to a person who takes over the claim knowing it arose from a section 4 offence and then exercises or tries to exercise it.
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Written by: Thai Law & Accounting Services — attorneys and licensed accountants
Professional review: A lawyer must review the applicable law and facts before use in a real matter. This notice does not establish that this page has been reviewed or certified by a lawyer.
Last updated: 2026-08
Information as of August 2026. Government fees and processing times change — verify with the relevant agency before acting, or let our team verify for you.