The Supreme Court of Thailand has officially classified Bitcoin as property under the country's Civil and Commercial Code. This decision, established in judgment 4929/2569 on October 28, 2026, confirms that digital assets are subject to legal protection against theft and misappropriation.
The ruling stems from a criminal case involving five foreign nationals who forced a tourist on Koh Samui to transfer 2.480801 BTC. At the time of the incident, the stolen assets were valued at approximately $50 000 or THB 1.878 million. The court sentenced each defendant to 10 years in prison.
As part of the restitution, the court ordered the defendants to either return the 2.480801 BTC or pay the equivalent cash value. The judges based their decision on the fact that Bitcoin represents data with market value that can be transferred between individuals, making it a target for property crimes.
The court clarified that this status does not make Bitcoin legal tender in Thailand. The Bank of Thailand maintains its position that digital assets cannot be used to settle debts. This ruling serves as a binding precedent for lower courts, building upon a 2025 decision that categorized Bitcoin as movable property in embezzlement cases.
