Community Mediation: Some Issues about the Mediation Act B.E. 2562

Abstract

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution, and the Mediation Act B.E. 2562 was enacted and effective on November 18, 2019. In this Act, the types of disputes suitable for mediation are defined. They are the civil and commercial dispute in which the amount in dispute is not high, and some kinds of compoundable criminal disputes which are designated as a general law. Also, the public dispute resolution is added. This is another way to reduce, eliminate, and settle the conflicts between people in the community in the areas with close relationships or in the village or Tambon area. This is therefore not necessary to bring disputes or criminal disputes with little damage, which may be a petty offense or misdemeanor with a fine including compoundable criminal disputes that do not cause too much physical or mental impact to the victims, to the court. When the damages are able to be calculated in money or things as the compensation, it will be a good way to resolve disputes among people in the community. However, to apply the dispute resolution, the parties involved need to agree to enter the mediation process. The benefits of the mediation process are the reduction of the number of court cases, the conflict reconciliation, the social harmony, the reduction of the national budget, and the strengthening of society.