Crime wave Thailand – fact or fiction?

[webfact]

Crime wave Thailand – fact or fiction?



BANGKOK: -- Most visitors and residents to Thailand through the 1980s and much of the 1990s were blissfully unaware of the extent of serious crime in the Kingdom.

Many at the time with only access to a very limited English news media could have been forgiven for thinking that all was calm and pleasant in the Land of Smiles. Newspapers like the Bangkok Post and The Nation while displaying varying degrees of courage in reporting scandal and political corruption and intrigue were altogether lacking in reporting any but the most sensational murders, rapes and robberies, and even then usually only when a tourist or high profile figure was involved.

Thais themselves of most social strata, due to relatively high literacy and the prevalence of television, were always quite well aware of the extent of crime. The ghoulish, gaudy and gory nature of Thai reporting was and continues to be graphic and shocking especially for many westerners. But it is a staple diet as much as nam phrik or pla tuu for most Thais hungry for sensationalism.

But in those more innocent days at the start of the boom in Thai tourism it would have seemed to many without access or interest in Thai language newspapers, magazines and television that all was reasonably well in the country.

For me personally I had always had a great personal interest in crime and had come to Thailand originally on the back of being a reporter in the United Kingdom. From a formative age I had mixed with police and been aware of criminals and their actions from courts to newsrooms since I left school.

Some years later when I left the UK and began to learn the Thai language it was quite natural for me to practice reading the local language by doing something that interested me; that in 1985 was by reading Thai crime magazines, easily available on any newsstand for just a few baht.

Having so many felt vaguely voyeuristic perhaps akin to the fascination some youth have with pornography. But it was compelling and illuminating and put an entirely different spin on the image presented through the English language media whether they intended that or not.

Sure, there was plenty of anecdotal stories of crime amongst colleagues and friends but if such events did not directly impact on family and those same friends, they could be somewhat easily dismissed.

Then came the internet.

Unfortunately the rise of online reporting has not cleared up the picture though it has brought a greater amount of Thai crime to a greater number of people. While the number of foreigners residing in Thailand who have Thai language skills sufficient to give them real and meaningful, as well as “pleasurable” access to Thai crime is still low, the internet with its translators is enabling an ever greater access to crime and its consequences in the Kingdom for non-Thais.

Indeed some news organisations are making a conscious effort to increase their reporting of Thai crime. It would be easy to criticise as clickbait but the stories are of great interest to a great many of the Thai public so why should that not be of interest to the foreign community either residing in the country or following events from abroad. Are we really so different?

This spread of Thai crime in the news has many posters on Thai news sites feeling that violent crime in general is on the increase. They may well be right but it will always depend on who is doing the reporting and who you care to believe.

For many older foreigners in particular who never followed Thai news in pre-internet days there appears an explosion of crime. Indeed, an easy Wiki search will seem to confirm their assessments.

“Crime in Thailand is a persistent, growing, complex, internationalised and under-recognised problem,” wiki states with figures from US sources claiming a more than ten percent rise in theft and property crime from 2014-2015 and an 8% rise in violent crime in the same period.

“The interplay of extremely addictive drugs, prostitution,political paralysis, corruption and collusion, a culture of impunity, international tourism and trade, liberal sexual mores, traditional Buddhist tolerance and tendency to ignore problems has led to an increasingly multifaceted and complex crime epidemic in the country. Juvenile delinquency has also been increasing in recent years,” says the website.

Thai academics have pooh-poohed the figures and prefer to weigh in with Royal Thai Police who claim an increase since they were charged with reporting the statistics after the 2014 coup but one that is less than 2% and therefore statistically insignificant.

It is really a question, with no reliable watchdog helping to inform the public, of paying your money and taking your choice as to what to believe when it comes to the true prevalence of and proliferation of many kinds of crime in Thailand.

While officials are only too ready, it would seem, to accept that the country has a severe problem when it comes to death on the roads, authorities have always seemed more tight lipped, surely mindful of the tourist trade, when it comes to the prevalence of crime not just that committed against tourists but that which represents a serious and violent underbelly in Thai society in general.

With high profile cases attracting international attention already, it is probably only a matter of time before the increased reporting of Thai on Thai crime in the English language media and through social networking sites gives Thai authorities more cause for concern about the image of the country.

In terms of image it may well be irrelevant if there is really an explosion of crime in Thailand in the last few years or if it is just a myth. Either way it will seem that there is.

Source: http://www.inspirebangkok.com/lifestyle/crime-wave-thailand-fact-fiction/


-- Inspire Bangkok 2016-04-25

[kotsak]

Don't tase me bro!!

[trainman34014]

And it's getting worse daily.

[Dodgydownunder]

Enforcement of the "pathetic" gun laws is non existent in this country. The Thai teenagers of today don't exactly paint a rosy picture for the future of this place.

[PaPiPuPePo]

Could the writer shorten this article by about 90%? More matter and less art (to use the term very loosely). Then I'll read through it.

[WitawatWatawit]

A very shallow look at the problem. We need a lot more hard core facts and statistical info from the writer before we can proceed to debate what is written. A true opinion writer (and this is an opinion piece, not an analysis) will quote page and verse from facts to back up his/her arguments. A true opinion writer inspires debate and advances an argument. This hasn't occurred in this case. It's just lightweight meanderings.

[NCC1701A]

from the photo it looks like a policeman dressed to do real police work, not the skin tight uniform the BIB wear, you can't run, jump or move in.

can't see his parachute medal.

[ovenman]

For whatever reason, the English-language press in Thailand presents the news in such a way that a reader would think the only news that ever occurs in the country involves the government.

[phycokiller]

I would think the crime level correlates pretty well with how well the economy is going, and its not going well at the moment and will probably get worse

[kotsak]

BTW, the photo is from an incident that happened 4 years ago..

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/545902-man-arrested-after-taking-wife-hostage-bangkok/

[WhizBang]

It all boils down to a useless police force that are neck deep in the worst criminal activity in the country. Reform the police, and justice system, into a professional reliable force and sooooo many problems in this country would be resolved.

[Scouse Twoccer]

And it's getting worse daily.

What is getting worse daily, Thaivisa poster's inability to read and actually understand what the article was saying?

[Scouse Twoccer]

It all boils down to a useless police force that are neck deep in the worst criminal activity in the country. Reform the police, and justice system, into a professional reliable force and sooooo many problems in this country would be resolved.

No, what "it" boils down to is your inability to comprehend the OP. It is nothing to do with the causes of crime or how to resolve problems.

The article is suggesting that crime rates may not be increasing as spectacularly as some people would like the world to think. It is proposing that similar numbers of crimes may just be being reported to a wider audience more often thanks to the easier access to the media for most people.

[little mary sunshine]

Probably no worse today than 10 years go. If you're

Out drunk in any large city in the world you're probably

Going to get "rolled" at 3 AM.

If you dumb enough to wear lots of gold and jewelry in

The seedy parts of town at night your chances of getting

Robbed are greater whether you are in BKK, Rome!London

Or Pattaya....I do believe the police are quite lacking in

Arresting these thieves and should have jail terms for these

Thieves. They do keep tourists away and give Thailnd

A really bad reputation.

[ggt]

Crime wave? There is no crime wave...it is more like a tsunami...

[does]

... being a reporter in England... This article is void of journalistic qualities.

Edited April 25, 2016 by does

[Jim walker]

But what do you expect from a country run by the military and the police with so diminished power police do not have any respect from the Thai people because everyone knows that they are all on the take in one way Or another

[Oziex1]

It all boils down to a useless police force that are neck deep in the worst criminal activity in the country. Reform the police, and justice system, into a professional reliable force and sooooo many problems in this country would be resolved.

I have always had the feeling that the Thai Police force could be something different and perhaps more effective, but how could they be and why would they want to be in a land full of untouchables.

If you can't beat them join them, sad but true I think.

[chainarong]

Any social problems in Thailand you can bet London to a brick that it is happening everywhere else, with a population of 70 million and social media, you are going to get meat heads, just depends what method or motive is used............................................

[gemguy]

Hmmm....

I have said it a thousand times while living here in Thailand: The Thais DO NOT have the meaning of life figured out any more so than anyone else does on this planet...so.... do not be fooled into thinking so.

Their "Thai Way" ( so to speak ) is also riddled with crime and criminals and criminal conduct galore.

You do not know the extent of just how screwed up they are also while you do not need to know the gruesome details and or get too involved.....rather just try to mind your own business and keep your distance when and if you can.

Cheers

Edited April 25, 2016 by gemguy

[geistfunke]

And it's getting worse daily.

What is getting worse daily, Thaivisa poster's inability to read and actually understand what the article was saying?

All kind of serious crimes are getting more and worse daily in Thailand and it's not helping to sugarcoat facts.

[nausea]

Well, anecdotal evidence indicates the crimewave, if there is a crimeeave, in Thailand started when the economic situation deteriorated. Not rocket science, really.

[smotherb]

Enforcement of the "pathetic" gun laws is non existent in this country. The Thai teenagers of today don't exactly paint a rosy picture for the future of this place.

Seems to me there were pathetic guns laws and rampant crime many years ago

Edited April 25, 2016 by smotherb

[cpofc]

30-40 Years ago there was a very, very popular glossy, colour magazine here called '191', (named after the police emergency number of course). My wife was a regular avid reader. As were many Thais. It left nothing to the imagination whatsoever. It detailed all and only the most gory and brutal murders and slayings, etc., in the Kingdom. In living colour. So what's new?

Who knows when the next Charles Sobraj will show up.

It is well known that crime increases with hard economic times.

A Thai friend of mine is a seller for the Underground Lottery (way down south), she tells me even her sales have plummeted recently. That is definitely NOT a good sign. For, along with crime, so does gambling usually increase in hard times.

And here she is (wife) indulging in one of her favourite pastimes - buying magazines - in Phuket Town - 1983

Edited April 25, 2016 by cpofc

[Merylhighground]

As far as I still see it, and I know it's a hackneyed old comparison, but I feel a lot safer wandering around parts of Bangkok late at night after a few ales, and my old neighbourhood in Bang Phli/Bang Na (in the wee small hours) which has plenty of dark corners for any prospective 'criminal' looking to roll a 'rich farang' but in nine years there I never once had a 'hairy' moment though being in a bit of a state on many occasions.

In fact the only 'criminal' activity I saw were a few college kids having a dust up in the car park of a nearby restaurant which was quickly broken up and the culprits dispatched into the night.

There I knew most of the moto boys, the market traders, bar owners and restaurateurs as well as most of the late night denizens all of who I knew would 'keep an eye on me and mine'. Here in the UK it's very much every man for himself and ''I'm alright Jack'....if it comes to the wire...

When in Thailand I know I don't have to worry about my wife being out after dark alone but here there's no way I'd let her even nip somewhere local (for a pack of smokes or similar) after dark when the drunks are turning out. No chance. In Thailand she is always nipping out at all hours though usually for grub.

We have been now back in the UK for less than two months and I have seen several nasty 'incidents' in my local town centre already and even a few in my 'quiet' little village.

I know where I feel safer for myself and my family. Can't wait to get back in a couple of months.

[Nobb]

With new junta people do not earn as much because of lack of trade with Democratic countries so the people are reverting to stealing and murder. They have no real skills but do these terrible things to feed there drug habits or get money to support there families. If you were addicted to drugs or your family was starving they would do any thing to feed both!

[KenKadz]

Completely agree!

Many years ago (early 80s I think) a young Australian man, who worked in China, was here on holiday.

He was riding a motorbike in Jomtien with a lady friend when he was stopped by two Thai men with a shotgun.

The men told the lady she was Thai so she should leave, but he never killed a farang before, and shot the kid dead.

This story did not appear in the local media, but was broadcast on Radio Australia.

I contacted Bangkok Post editorial desk and asked if they did not have a responsibility to make the public aware of such incidents.

The Managing Editor at the time wrote back telling me that if a media group wants to do business in Thailand they have to be careful how what they report reflects on the country. Or something to that effect.

This was back in the days when the Army / Government controlled all communications systems in the country; the Army ran the radio stations, an internet connection was only available through a land line phone call to Singapore or Japan, and even short wave radios and walkie-talkies were illegal.

Censorship comes to mind.

A second thought: Has it only occurred to me that it was Mr. Taksin and his colleagues were the people who developed the communications systems in Thailand? Including cell phone service and internet, making communications and international news immediately available to everyone in Thailand, and wrestling control away from the Army.

Is it reasonable to think that the Army has had a grudge against Mr. Taksin for a long time?

[KenKadz]

Completely agree!

Many years ago (early 80s I think) a young Australian man, who worked in China, was here on holiday.

He was riding a motorbike in Jomtien with a lady friend when he was stopped by two Thai men with a shotgun.

The men told the lady she was Thai so she should leave, but he never killed a farang before, and shot the kid dead.

This story did not appear in the local media, but was broadcast on Radio Australia.

I contacted Bangkok Post editorial desk and asked if they did not have a responsibility to make the public aware of such incidents.

The Managing Editor at the time wrote back telling me that if a media group wants to do business in Thailand they have to be careful how what they report reflects on the country. Or something to that effect.

This was back in the days when the Army / Government controlled all communications systems in the country; the Army ran the radio stations, an internet connection was only available through a land line phone call to Singapore or Japan, and even short wave radios and walkie-talkies were illegal.

Censorship comes to mind.

A second thought: Has it only occurred to me that it was Mr. Taksin and his colleagues were the people who developed the communications systems in Thailand? Including cell phone service and internet, making communications and international news immediately available to everyone in Thailand, and wrestling control away from the Army.

Is it reasonable to think that the Army has had a grudge against Mr. Taksin for a long time?

[KenKadz]

Completely agree!

Many years ago (early 80s I think) a young Australian man, who worked in China, was here on holiday.

He was riding a motorbike in Jomtien with a lady friend when he was stopped by two Thai men with a shotgun.

The men told the lady she was Thai so she should leave, but he never killed a farang before, and shot the kid dead.

This story did not appear in the local media, but was broadcast on Radio Australia.

I contacted Bangkok Post editorial desk and asked if they did not have a responsibility to make the public aware of such incidents.

The Managing Editor at the time wrote back telling me that if a media group wants to do business in Thailand they have to be careful how what they report reflects on the country. Or something to that effect.

This was back in the days when the Army / Government controlled all communications systems in the country; the Army ran the radio stations, an internet connection was only available through a land line phone call to Singapore or Japan, and even short wave radios and walkie-talkies were illegal.

Censorship comes to mind.

A second thought: Has it only occurred to me that it was Mr. Taksin and his colleagues were the people who developed the communications systems in Thailand? Including cell phone service and internet, making communications and international news immediately available to everyone in Thailand, and wrestling control away from the Army.

Is it reasonable to think that the Army has had a grudge against Mr. Taksin for a long time?

[shirtless]

As the tourist dollars dry up the natural progression is to crime , what else can the fringe dwellers do, look at the uptick is lady boys committing offences.The new tourist demographics have change where a great deal of money is spent .