NCJ Number
74350
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article presents crime statistics in Thailand from a comparative perspective for the years 1971 to 1978.
Abstract
General crime rates for the years under consideration show the lowest rates for 1978 and the highest rates during 1972. Tabulation of offenses against property shows the 1978 rates slightly below those of 1977 but far below those of 1974. The number of offenses against life and person during 1978 ranked slightly above 1972 but far below the rates for 1976. Despite the overall decline in crime as reflected by the 1978 statistics, offenses against narcotic laws continued to increase. This is viewed as a serious Thai problem, aggravated by the low costs of narcotics in Thailand, especially heroin, opium, and marihuana, when compared with Western countries. Drug-related offenses of both pushers and consumers are high and many foreigners are involved because of the seemingly lucrative opportunities for inexpensive drug use and smuggling. International cooperation is needed to deal with this problem more effectively. The tables illustrating rates of robbery and gang robbery are compared with rates for various forms of white-collar crime, which seem disproportionately high. Extortion, blackmail, misappropriation, forgery, cheating, and fraud are considered common problems in developing countries. No statistics are given on terrorist crimes and hostage taking since such crimes rarely occur in Thailand, but should they take place authorities would refuse to conform to terrorist demands even though hostages may be hurt or killed. Similarly, in the case of jailbreaks or hostage taking of prison officers, the Department of Corrections has issued instructions to refuse conformance with prisoners' demands. Six tables are supplied.