The cabinet has approved a draft law to allow courts to set up their own "police unit" to better act against suspects who violate court orders.
Ministers at their weekly meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, gave the go-ahead to the bill that will lay the groundwork for all courts to have a new legal arm, also known as a "court marshal service", to conduct searches and arrest criminal suspects, similar to functions traditionally carried out by police officers.
They are likely to go after defendants who jump bail, those who fail to comply with summonses and court orders as well as people who cause disorder in court compounds.
The bill authorises court police to resort to "force" if their searches at a place where the accused is believed to be hiding are resisted.
The court police can also exercise power granted under the Criminal Code, allowing them to act like police to prevent crimes.
The bill exempts the Court of Justice from laws that control the use of firearms and explosive materials, currently adopted by police and military units. The move to establish a court marshal service has been floated for some time, attracting police and soldiers who are interested in a career change.
Earlier in April, Punnaphat Mahalitrakun, a judge attached to the Supreme Court office, said the Bank of Thailand was also planning to develop its own security-like unit. The BoT sets "very high specs for the staff it wanted", Mr Punnaphat said.
The central bank wants candidates who are former police or military officers with ranks above captain level. They must be good at investigation and possess at least five years in the field. It also planned to select candidates who hold a bachelor's degree, preferably those with a law major.
However, they are still required to sit written and oral exams.
Officers who get jobs with the court security unit can use the position as a step to become state law officials and even climb to the highest rank of deputy court secretary-general.
"It's not necessary to retire as a court police officer," he said.