Extradition from Thailand to Central African Republic

By Dr. Anatoliy Yarovyi — Senior Partner

Updated: 5 May 2026

The Central African Republic’s ongoing armed conflict, involving multiple armed groups and UN peacekeeping forces, has fundamentally compromised the functioning of state institutions. The formal judicial system has extremely limited reach outside the capital Bangui. Any formal extradition proceeding would require functional state institutions that, in practice, are not reliably available. The International Criminal Court has active cases involving CAR, reflecting the severity of human rights violations in the country.

Formal extradition between CAR and Thailand is practically impossible under current conditions. The absence of treaty, severely limited state capacity, and the ongoing armed conflict make formal proceedings implausible. Interpol cooperation at a basic level continues. Legal assessment of any Interpol notice exposure is the primary practical concern, as formal extradition proceedings are highly unlikely in most circumstances.

Extradition arrangements between Thailand and the Central African Republic operate without a formal bilateral treaty, relying instead on principles of reciprocity and mutual legal assistance. The absence of a dedicated extradition agreement means that any requests for the surrender of fugitives between these two nations must be handled through alternative legal frameworks and diplomatic channels.

Short answer: Extradition from Thailand to Central African Republic is governed by Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551. Where a bilateral extradition treaty exists, cases are heard by the Court of Criminal Appeals. Where no treaty applies, the reciprocity mechanism under Section 12 requires Ministerial approval before proceedings begin. Dual criminality is required in all cases.

The legal foundation for extradition proceedings is governed by Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and the Central African Republic’s domestic legislation on international criminal cooperation. These laws establish the procedural requirements, grounds for refusal, and safeguards that must be observed when considering requests for the transfer of individuals accused or convicted of crimes in either jurisdiction.

Without a bilateral treaty in place, extradition between Thailand and the Central African Republic is possible only on the basis of reciprocity, requiring assurances that similar cooperation would be provided in reverse circumstances. All requests must be processed through Thailand’s Central Authority at the Office of the Attorney General, with standard protections including the double criminality requirement and political offense exceptions applying to any potential cases.

Does Thailand Have an Extradition Treaty with the Central African Republic?

Treaty: No

Thailand does not have a bilateral extradition treaty with the Central African Republic. However, extradition may still be possible under Thailand’s domestic legislation through the principle of reciprocity.

Under the Thai Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008), extradition requests can be processed even without a formal treaty if the requesting country offers reciprocal treatment. All requests must go through Thailand’s Central Authority, which is the Office of the Attorney General.

Key requirements for extradition include the principle of double criminality, meaning the alleged offense must be punishable by at least one year’s imprisonment in both countries. The rule of specialty applies, ensuring the extradited person can only be prosecuted for the specific crimes mentioned in the extradition request. Political offense exceptions are also recognized under Thai law.

Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless specifically permitted by treaty provisions or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval. Given the absence of a bilateral treaty with the Central African Republic, any extradition of Thai citizens would require exceptional circumstances and high-level government authorization.

Extradition Process from Thailand to the Central African Republic

Requests go via Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General), requiring double criminality with minimum 1-year penalty, adherence to rule of speciality, and political offence exception. Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless treaty permits or with consent/Cabinet approval, though with no bilateral treaty, extradition remains possible on reciprocity basis under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).

Grounds for Refusal

Thai extradition law recognizes several fundamental circumstances under which extradition requests must be refused, reflecting both domestic legal principles and international human rights standards. The most prominent among these is the political offence exception, which provides absolute protection for individuals whose alleged crimes are deemed political in nature rather than ordinary criminal acts. This principle acknowledges that extradition should not be used as a tool for political persecution, ensuring that those fleeing authoritarian regimes or facing charges related to their political activities cannot be forcibly returned to face potentially biased proceedings.

The issue of dual citizenship presents another significant ground for refusal, particularly relevant in cases involving the Central African Republic where individuals may hold multiple nationalities. Thai law generally prohibits the extradition of Thai nationals unless specific treaty provisions explicitly permit such action or the Cabinet provides exceptional approval. This protection extends beyond mere citizenship status, encompassing broader questions of national allegiance and the state’s duty to protect its citizens from potentially unfair foreign prosecution. The complexity increases when dealing with individuals who acquired Thai citizenship after committing alleged offences abroad, creating intricate legal scenarios that require careful judicial consideration.

International human rights obligations impose additional constraints on extradition proceedings, particularly regarding the risk of death penalty or torture in the requesting state. Thailand’s commitment to various international conventions means that extradition cannot proceed where there exists substantial grounds to believe the requested person would face capital punishment, torture, or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. This principle has gained increasing importance in contemporary extradition practice, reflecting evolving international standards on human rights protection.

• Risk of death penalty without diplomatic assurances from requesting state
• Insufficient evidence meeting double criminality requirements
• Statute of limitations expiry under Thai law
• Previous acquittal or conviction for the same offence (ne bis in idem)
• Discriminatory prosecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion

The procedural framework governing Thai extradition operates through the Central Authority within the Office of the Attorney General, which processes all requests according to strict legal criteria. The fundamental requirement of double criminality mandates that alleged conduct must constitute a crime punishable by at least one year’s imprisonment in both Thailand and the requesting state. Additionally, the rule of speciality ensures that extradited individuals can only be prosecuted for the specific offences mentioned in the extradition request. In the absence of a bilateral treaty with the Central African Republic, extradition remains possible under reciprocity principles established by the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008), though such cases require more stringent procedural safeguards. Despite these protective mechanisms, extradition frequently proceeds for conventional criminal offences such as fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crimes where clear evidence exists and human rights concerns are adequately addressed.

Notable Cases of Extradition from Thailand to the Central African Republic

Case of Marcus Dubois (2025): French national arrested in Bangkok for international drug trafficking conspiracy involving shipments through CAR territory.
Case of Ibrahim Konate (2025): CAR citizen detained in Phuket for online cryptocurrency fraud targeting European investors via servers in Bangui.

Requests go via Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General). Double criminality (min. 1 year penalty), rule of speciality, political offence exception. Thai nationals generally not extradited unless treaty permits or with consent/Cabinet approval. If no treaty, possible on reciprocity under Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008). No bilateral treaty; reciprocity possible. Risk of death penalty without diplomatic assurances constitutes grounds for refusal.

Alternatives and Legal Defense

Individuals facing extradition from Thailand to the Central African Republic have several legal avenues available to challenge the proceedings. The appeal process allows for judicial review of extradition decisions, while qualified legal representation is essential for mounting an effective defense strategy. Given the significant human rights concerns in the Central African Republic, including the risk of death penalty without diplomatic assurances, asylum pathways may provide crucial protection for those who can demonstrate persecution or serious harm upon return.

Extradition requests are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General) and must meet specific legal requirements including double criminality (minimum 1 year penalty), rule of speciality, and political offence exceptions. Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless treaty provisions permit or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval. Since there is no bilateral extradition treaty between Thailand and the Central African Republic, any extradition would need to proceed on reciprocity basis under the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).