Someone Used Your Photos Without Permission in Thailand — What Are Your Legal Options?
Seeing your own photo used to sell products without asking is not merely irritating — it is a legal right you can act on
Chaiyaphum Office · Nationwide Thailand
For example, an online shop posts your photograph to sell goods, or a personal photo appears in advertising without consent
Who This Page Is For
- Photographers and creators whose work was used
- Business owners whose product images were copied
- Individuals whose personal photos were used commercially
Common Concerns and Practical Responses
I never registered copyright. Do I still have rights?
Photographs are protected upon creation under Thai copyright law; evidence of ownership — original files and shooting data — matters more than registration
They took the image down. Can I still pursue it?
Screenshots of the use, with timestamps and URLs, taken before removal keep your claim alive even after later changes
I want compensation more than a lawsuit
A commercially framed demand, negotiated by a lawyer for retrospective licensing, is often faster and preserves the right to sue
What You Can Do Yourself
- Screenshot the use with URL, timestamps, and shop or page names
- Prepare original files, shooting data, and ownership evidence
- Send a demand letter or have a lawyer act
- If uncooperative, assess civil action and a criminal complaint
Where a Lawyer Can Help
- Assessing the scope of rights and likely defences
- Demand letters and compensation negotiations
- Civil damages suits or criminal complaints under copyright law
Common Concerns Before Deciding
They credited me. Is that still infringement?
Credit is not permission — commercial use still requires the rights holder’s consent
They claim images found online are free
Finding an image online does not make it public domain; this defence fails legally
How are damages calculated?
By the extent and duration of use and the normal licence value, judged from each case’s evidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is copyright infringement a criminal offence?
Using works commercially without permission may constitute an offence under the copyright law, with both civil and criminal consequences
Who owns photos taken on assignment?
Depends on the commission contract and nature of the work; absent terms, the law may require interpretation — check the contract first
Is using a person’s image in ads different from copyright?
Commercial use of a person’s image also requires that person’s consent — a separate right from copyright
Evidence-First Criminal Complaint Preparation
Our working approach: the facts, documents, and available evidence are reviewed first, so that the proposed complaint strategy fits the law and the evidence of each matter. This is a working method, not a promise of outcomes.
Responsibility and Working Procedure
Provides legal services and handles engagements within the framework of the legal profession, giving consideration to the issues and facts of each matter
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- An initial inquiry begins with the type of matter and the date of the incident
- A preliminary opinion may require additional documents before a course of action can be proposed
- Scope of work, fees, and timeline are put in writing before work begins
- The firm does not guarantee case outcomes or investigation results, which depend on the facts and the lawful discretion of the authorities
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