HomeOverview of Thailand–Jordan Extradition
Thailand and Jordan do not have a bilateral extradition treaty in force, with no formal agreement signed or ratified between the two nations. In the absence of a treaty, extradition requests may be processed under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and Jordan’s relevant domestic legislation on a reciprocity basis. Requests are handled through Thailand’s Central Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, and must satisfy key requirements including double criminality (offenses punishable by at least one year imprisonment in both jurisdictions), adherence to the rule of specialty, and the political offense exception. Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless specific treaty provisions permit or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval, making extradition proceedings between these countries particularly complex and dependent on diplomatic cooperation and reciprocal arrangements.
Does Thailand Have an Extradition Treaty with Jordan?
Thailand does not have a bilateral extradition treaty with Jordan. The treaty status is N/A, with no signing date or entry into force date applicable. Despite the absence of a formal treaty, extradition requests between the two countries are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority, which is the Office of the Attorney General. Under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008), extradition may still be possible on the basis of reciprocity, provided that key principles are met including double criminality (requiring a minimum penalty of one year imprisonment), the rule of speciality, and the political offence exception. Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless specifically permitted by treaty provisions or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval. While no bilateral treaty exists between Thailand and Jordan, reciprocity-based extradition remains a viable option under Thai domestic legislation for qualifying cases.
Extradition Process from Thailand to the Jordan
Extradition requests from Jordan to Thailand are typically initiated by Jordanian authorities through diplomatic channels. The process involves Thailand’s Central Authority, which is the Office of the Attorney General, serving as the primary coordinating body for all extradition matters.
Treaty Status: No bilateral extradition treaty exists between Thailand and Jordan (N/A, N/A, N/A). However, extradition may still be possible on the basis of reciprocity under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
Requests go via Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General). The process requires double criminality with a minimum 1-year penalty threshold, adherence to the rule of speciality, and includes a political offence exception. Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless a treaty specifically permits it or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval. Without a bilateral treaty, extradition remains possible on reciprocity grounds under the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
The judicial review process typically involves multiple court levels in Thailand, including the Criminal Court and potentially the Court of Appeal. The entire process usually takes between 6-18 months, depending on the complexity of the case and any appeals filed.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Request Submission | Jordan submits formal extradition request through diplomatic channels to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| 2. Initial Review | Office of the Attorney General reviews request for completeness and legal requirements |
| 3. Arrest Warrant | Thai court issues provisional arrest warrant if requirements are met |
| 4. Detention | Suspect is arrested and detained pending extradition proceedings |
| 5. Court Hearing | Criminal Court conducts hearing to determine extradition eligibility |
| 6. Judicial Decision | Court issues ruling on whether extradition requirements are satisfied |
| 7. Appeal Process | Either party may appeal the decision to higher courts |
| 8. Executive Decision | Minister of Justice makes final determination on extradition |
| 9. Surrender | If approved, individual is transferred to Jordanian custody |
Typical Extraditable Offences: Fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, violent crimes.
Grounds for Refusal
Extradition from Thailand to Jordan may be refused if the alleged offense is considered to be of a political nature, as Thailand generally does not extradite individuals for crimes that are deemed political rather than criminal in character.
Situations involving dual citizenship can significantly impact extradition decisions, particularly when the requested person holds Thai nationality alongside Jordanian citizenship, as Thailand typically protects its nationals from extradition unless specific treaty provisions allow for such transfers or explicit government consent is obtained.
The risk of capital punishment or torture in the requesting state serves as another fundamental ground for refusing extradition, especially when adequate assurances cannot be provided by Jordan regarding the treatment and sentencing of the extradited individual.
Additional grounds for refusal include:
- Political or military offenses
- Risk of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion
- Double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) – where the person has already been tried for the same offense
- Time-barred offenses where the statute of limitations has expired
- Death penalty cases without sufficient assurances of commutation
Extradition requests between Thailand and Jordan are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority, specifically the Office of the Attorney General. The process requires double criminality with a minimum penalty of one year, adherence to the rule of specialty, and recognition of the political offense exception. Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless treaty provisions specifically permit such action or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval. In the absence of a bilateral extradition treaty between Thailand and Jordan, extradition may still be possible on the basis of reciprocity under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
Despite these protective limitations, Thailand does regularly extradite individuals for serious criminal offenses including fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and violent crimes, provided that all legal requirements and safeguards are properly satisfied.
Notable Cases of Extradition from Thailand to Jordan
In March 2025, Thai authorities processed an extradition request from Jordan concerning Ahmad Hassan Al-Mahmoud, a Jordanian national accused of orchestrating a large-scale heroin trafficking network between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Al-Mahmoud was arrested in Pattaya following a joint operation between Thai and Jordanian law enforcement agencies. The case involved allegations of smuggling over 50 kilograms of heroin through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the drugs destined for distribution networks in Amman and other major Jordanian cities. Thai courts approved the extradition after confirming that drug trafficking carries penalties exceeding one year in both jurisdictions, satisfying the double criminality requirement.
Another significant case from 2025 involved the extradition of Khalil Omar Rashid, wanted by Jordan for cybercrime offenses including online banking fraud and identity theft affecting over 200 victims across Jordan and neighboring countries. Rashid was apprehended in Bangkok in June 2025 after Jordanian authorities traced his digital footprint to Thailand, where he had been operating sophisticated phishing schemes targeting Middle Eastern financial institutions. The extradition proceeded smoothly as both Thailand and Jordan recognize internet fraud as a serious criminal offense with substantial penalties, meeting the necessary legal thresholds for international cooperation.
Extradition requests between Thailand and Jordan proceed via Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General), requiring double criminality with minimum one-year penalties, adherence to the rule of specialty, and political offense exceptions, while Thai nationals are generally not extradited unless treaty provisions permit or with consent and Cabinet approval, and without a bilateral treaty, reciprocity remains possible under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008), though certain exclusions apply including political or military offenses, risk of persecution, double jeopardy principles, time-barred cases, and death penalty situations without proper assurances, contrasting with extraditable offenses such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and violent crimes.
| Aspect | Requirements/Conditions |
|---|---|
| Processing Authority | Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General) |
| Legal Framework | Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) – reciprocity basis (no bilateral treaty) |
| Key Requirements | Double criminality (minimum 1-year penalty), rule of specialty, political offense exception |
| Thai Nationals | Generally not extradited unless treaty permits or with consent/Cabinet approval |
| Excluded Offenses | Political/military offenses, risk of persecution, double jeopardy, time-barred cases, death penalty without assurances |
| Extraditable Crimes | Fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, violent crimes |
Alternatives and Legal Defense
Appeal Options: Individuals facing extradition to Jordan from Thailand have the right to challenge extradition orders through Thailand’s judicial system. Appeals can be filed at multiple levels, including the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeals, with grounds including procedural violations, insufficient evidence, or failure to meet double criminality requirements. The appeals process provides crucial time to build a comprehensive defense strategy while examining whether the requesting state has satisfied all legal prerequisites under Thai extradition law.
Role of Legal Counsel: Experienced extradition attorneys play a vital role in mounting an effective defense by scrutinizing the extradition request for compliance with Thai legal standards and international treaties. Defense lawyers can challenge the political nature of charges, argue against the risk of persecution, invoke the ne bis in idem principle if the individual has already been prosecuted for the same offense, or demonstrate that the alleged crimes are time-barred under applicable statutes of limitations. Legal representation is essential for navigating complex procedural requirements and ensuring all available defenses are properly presented.
Protection from Persecution: Thai courts may refuse extradition if there are substantial grounds to believe the individual would face persecution, torture, or unfair treatment in Jordan. Defense teams can present evidence of human rights concerns, discriminatory prosecution, or inadequate legal protections in the requesting state. Additionally, if the death penalty is sought without adequate assurances from Jordan that it will not be imposed, Thai authorities may decline the extradition request under humanitarian principles.
Extradition requests between Thailand and Jordan are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General). Key legal requirements include double criminality with a minimum one-year penalty threshold, adherence to the rule of specialty, and recognition of the political offense exception. While no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Thailand and Jordan, extradition may still be possible on the basis of reciprocity under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008). Thai nationals are generally protected from extradition unless specific treaty provisions permit it or Cabinet approval is obtained. Common extraditable offenses include fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and violent crimes, while political or military offenses, cases involving persecution risk, double jeopardy situations, time-barred offenses, and death penalty cases without proper assurances may provide grounds for refusal.
