Interpol and Extradition Lawyers in Thailand

Facing Interpol Notices or extradition in Thailand can significantly affect your freedom, reputation, and economic interests. The person sought can be detained without warning, and errors in the legal process can escalate to arrests, removal, and criminal prosecution. When the stakes are this high, you’ll need experienced Interpol solicitors by your side.
Our team of International lawyers specializes in protecting your rights during legal proceedings involving Interpol notices and extradition proceedings. We understand Thai extradition law and swiftly provide strategic legal defense that aligns with national law and human rights provisions.

Contact an Interpol lawyer!

What is Extradition and How Does the Process Work?

The extradition process is an International legal mechanism where a foreign state requests the transfer of a person accused or convicted of a crime committed in the requesting state. The primary purpose of this legal procedure is to prevent individuals from evading their criminal liability by fleeing to a foreign country.

Through the extradition system, states can:

Return accused persons who have fled abroad for trial;
Strengthen justice and cooperation in the international legal system;
Prevent the use of foreign countries as a refuge from the law.

The Criminal Court has jurisdiction over extradition considerations in Thailand, coordinated by the attorney general. However, several recognized international legal principles must be followed for an extradition request to be approved by the Thai government or the central authority, including:

Principle of Double Criminality: Extradition laws require that the crime be considered a criminal offense in both Thailand and the country requesting surrender.
Principle of Non bis in idem: if the person has already been convicted, served punishment or granted amnesty for the same criminal charge, they cannot be extradited again for the same case;
Political Motivation: extradition from Thailand isn’t carried out if there are grounds to believe the case is of political character or the person may face persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political beliefs. Thai laws also prohibit extradition for military offences.
Statute of Limitations: the requesting country must confirm that the statute of limitations for the case or sentence has not expired;
Guarantee of Humane Treatment: if there is a risk of torture, cruel treatment, or the death penalty in the requesting state, extradition will be denied;
Proper Arrest Warrant: an official warrant or sentence must be presented to a Thai Court, along with translated and properly executed documents in accordance with international law.

Types of Crimes Subject to Extradition

The extradition process only applies to serious criminal offences punishable by at least 1 year imprisonment under the laws of the countries involved. Such criminal offences include:

Economic Crimes

Financial and economic crimes are among the most common reasons for initiating extradition procedures. These crimes are often transnational and can cause serious financial harm to individuals, businesses, and the state.

Examples of cases that often become the basis for a request include:

Fraud (including investment, banking, and credit fraud);
Serious tax evasion;
Embezzlement or breach of trust;
Money laundering;
Forgery of financial documents;
Issuing bounced cheques, often seen in Middle Eastern countries;
Illegal financial operations or currency manipulation.

Such cases are often accompanied by international arrest warrants, Interpol notices, and asset seizures in different countries.

Corruption-Related Crimes

Corruption cases involving abuse of power, bribery, embezzlement of state funds, or fraud in public procurement often fall under extradition. While corruption was previously considered a “political offense” and served as a basis for extradition refusal, modern international law practice treats it as a serious criminal offence for extradition. Even without a treaty signed between the countries involved, corruption is considered an extraditable offense.

Violent Crimes

Crimes against life and health are obvious grounds for extradition, for example:

Murder or attempted murder;
Rape;
Serious bodily harm;
Kidnapping and unlawful detention;
Systematic domestic violence with threats.

Terrorism

The extradition of persons suspected of terrorism is carried out internationally with a high degree of uniformity. This category includes participation in terrorist groups, preparation and commission of terrorist acts, financing terrorism, recruitment and radicalization, and promotion of violence using information technology.

In the international fight against terrorism, many countries cooperate even without formal extradition treaties. Extradition can also apply in cases of cybercrime (hacking, data theft, online fraud), illegal drug trafficking, human trafficking, sexual and labor exploitation, and offenses against justice (evading punishment, escape from custody). The main conditions remain the severity of the crime, its recognition as a crime in both countries, and compliance with international legal norms.

Stages of the US-Thai Extradition: From Request to Transfer

Extradition between Thailand and the United States is governed by the US-Thai extradition treaty and the process involves multiple legal steps. The extradition process begins with the submission of an official request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand or directly to the Ministry of Justice through diplomatic channels or an embassy. The request must contain the suspect’s personal data, details of the crime and its legal classification, a copy of the arrest warrant or final sentence, evidence supporting the accusation, and a reference to an extradition treaty (if any) or a request for consideration based on reciprocity.

After receiving the extradition request, authorities conduct a preliminary legal review. If the documents meet the basic requirements, the prosecution files a petition in court for temporary detention. Provisional arrest can be initiated via an Interpol Red Notice.

Following detention, the main stage begins — judicial review of the extradition case. It is conducted in the Bangkok Criminal Court, where the court considers factors such as the principle of double criminality, absence of political or racial motives, compliance with human rights principles, the possibility of presenting evidence, and adherence to the statute of limitations. The suspect has the right to legal defense and may raise objections, such as already serving a sentence, refugee status, risk of torture, or lack of sufficient grounds for prosecution.

The court either approves or denies the extradition request based on the case review. If approved, it is forwarded to the Ministry of Justice, and the final approval must be given by the Cabinet of Thailand. Only after this can an extradition order be issued. In the case of denial, the suspect is released.

After final approval, the transfer procedure begins. The requesting state must arrive in Thailand with official representatives, receive the suspect within the prescribed timeframe, and ensure all security and legal measures during transportation.

International Extradition Treaties

An extradition treaty is an agreement between two or more states establishing conditions for the mutual surrender of suspected criminals or convicts for criminal offenses. Such treaties define the list of extraditable crimes, the principle of double criminality, grounds for refusal, procedural deadlines, and obligations of the parties. It also outlines the requirements for providing evidence and legal documents. The existence of a treaty simplifies the process, making it transparent, understandable, and official.

As of 2025, Thailand has signed extradition treaties with 15 countries for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. That includes the USA, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, the Republic of China, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Fiji, Australia, and Hungary. Each agreement has its own structure, conditions, and details.

Even in the absence of an extradition treaty with Thailand, they consider corresponding requests based on diplomatic relations. In such cases, each instance is analyzed individually, mainly based on the 2008 Thai Extradition Act. However, each case must align with International standards and Thai laws.

Essentially, the absence of a formal Thailand extradition treaty doesn’t diminish the possibility of extradition. The parties involved may act based on the principle of reciprocity, national legislation, and multilateral international conventions.

Interpol and Extradition: How They Are Connected

Interpol issues color-coded notices to allow countries to exchange information about individuals wanted internationally. There are several types of notices, but the Red Notice is the most important in the context of extradition.

While an Interpol Red Notice doesn’t have the legal force of an international arrest warrant, it serves as a request to member states to detain an individual pending extradition. This Interpol notice is published at the official request of the law enforcement authorities of the country that initiated the criminal case or issued the sentence.

An Interpol notice is essentially an international search tool used by law enforcement as guidance for detention, despite lacking the legal power of a court order. The notice can be published in advance, before an official extradition request, allowing prompt detention of suspects and preventing their departure from the country. However, not every Red Notice leads to extradition.

The court in the residence country considers the validity of charges, evaluates the principle of double criminality, possible human rights violations, and other factors. Individuals can also challenge these notices through the CCF. If the challenge is successful, the notice is canceled, and the risk of extradition is significantly reduced.

Ways to Challenge an Extradition Request

Receiving an extradition request doesn’t automatically mean the suspect will be handed over to the requesting country. In some jurisdictions, the suspect has the right to legally challenge the surrender, but a proper legal strategy can significantly affect the outcome.

Political Motivation of the Request

If it is proven that the case arose for political reasons, such as expressing political views, joining a social group or opposition, or persecution for expressing political opinions (e.g., participation in protests or anti-government campaigns), or in cases related to journalists, activists, or human rights defenders, the extradition request will be denied.

Risk of Torture, Cruel Treatment, or Denial of Justice

Extradition requests may be denied if the requesting country has a history of using torture, inhumane treatment, or doesn’t guarantee a fair trial. This includes the risk of wrongful conviction or execution without the possibility of petitioning for a royal pardon. This reason is particularly important if the individual involved has refugee or political asylum status in a third country.

Absence of the Principle of Mutual Recognition of Crime

Extradition is possible only if the act is considered a criminal offense in both countries.

Violations of the Right to Justice

If the extradition request contains procedural errors, such as insufficient evidence, forged documents, violation of the right to legal assistance, or a judgment in absentia without appeal, the request may be denied.

Expiration of Statute of Limitations

If the legal deadline for prosecution or punishment in the country of residence of the deported person has expired, deportation will not occur.

Principle of Non-bis in Idem

This principle prohibits double jeopardy for the same offense. If a person has already been convicted in one country, extradition for a repeated trial in another country is considered contrary to international law.

Citizenship

Some countries, such as Russia, France, Germany, and China, do not extradite their citizens, despite having extradition treaties. In such cases, suspects may be held accountable in their own country under the principle of universal jurisdiction or territorial jurisdiction.

How an Interpol Lawyer Assists with Extradition Matters

Legal support in Interpol and extradition cases covers a wide range of legal, diplomatic, and analytical tasks:

Analysis of Arrest Warrants
The lawyer conducts a thorough review of Interpol Red Notices, international arrest warrants, and extradition requests to identify procedural errors, violations of international law, or signs of political motivation, and verifies the principle of double criminality.
Defense in the Courts of the Suspect’s Country
The lawyer represents the client in national courts, prepares arguments to defend rights, emphasizing humanitarian and legal grounds for refusal or limitation of extradition.
Submission of Requests to the CCF
If a Red Notice has been issued in violation of rules, the lawyer submits an official request to the CCF to cancel the notice in the I-24/7 system.
International Negotiations
In some cases, interaction with diplomats, ministries of justice, and law enforcement agencies of both countries is necessary to protect rights, postpone extradition, or transfer the case to a safer jurisdiction for the client.
Consultations on Citizenship and Asylum Status
The lawyer evaluates the possibility of applying for refugee or political asylum status or obtaining humanitarian protection to prevent extradition.

Why Choose an Interpol Law Firm?

Our team of international lawyers has proven experience in extradition cases, Interpol notices, and cross-border client protection. With a wide network of partner law firms, we take prompt action on the ground. Whether it is detention at an airport, filing a petition in a national court, or a request to an international commission, your rights, freedom, and reputation are fully covered.

Our specialists speak English, French, Arabic, Spanish, and Russian, facilitating interaction with foreign authorities and clients worldwide. We operate confidentially, strategically, and always prioritize the client’s interests. Our approach is based on deep legal expertise, practical experience, and adherence to international human rights standards.

We will protect your rights, freedom, and reputation, regardless of your country of residence.