Dusit Poll: Thais think their country has become less safe
A survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University shows that many Thais feel that their country has become less safe due to crime. The poll was conducted on January 15-18 of 1.365 people across the country after a series of serious crimes - including rape, robbery and drug trafficking - culminating in the fatal robbery of a gold shop in Lop Buri province.
When asked about risks to their personal safety, a majority of respondents – 67,69% – said they have become worse over the past year due to the economic downturn, deteriorating social conditions and lower sense of morality. At least 27,47% believe that the security situation is the same as before. Only 4,84% think Thailand has become safer because the government has taken stricter measures against crime.
According to the respondents, security in Thailand has declined due to a poor economy, deteriorating social conditions, social inequalities and a low standard of living. Also mentioned are the government's inability to solve economic problems, forcing people to help themselves. Another reason is low awareness of standards and poor enforcement of laws.
Thais are most afraid of robberies and bandits, the use of violence and weapons such as firearms and knives, the proliferation of narcotics and sexual offenses.
When asked what government agencies should be doing, 46,51% say they should be more serious about law enforcement and amend the laws if necessary to reflect the current situation. At least 43,41% want security cameras to be better maintained and operational.
Source: Bangkok Post
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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Considering that the prisons are so overcrowded that the government no longer locks up drug users – 1 month – I am surprised that so much crime still seems to exist. (if he is arrested for theft to pay for the drugs, it is of course different)
Maybe they should find out who exactly is locked up for what, and for how long.
It may seem a bit contradictory, but if they lowered the sentences a bit, maybe there would be more room for the new felons.
I think that many people who have spent a year in prison think twice before committing another crime.
As so often, I probably live in another Thailand.
Are there blog readers who have recently started to feel less safe?
I have been living in Thailand for > 15 years and mainly in Bkk. I have never felt unsafe here. I feel less safe in cities like Brussels, Antwerp and yes even Roeselare.
Feeling safe or feeling unsafe is a rather subjective thing. But if you look purely at the numbers, Thailand is an extremely violent country. Nevertheless, I always feel relatively safe in Thailand. In addition, people usually leave a farang alone.
I will now let my gut speak, but I think it can play a significant role in how far you can absorb all kinds of signals around you. Such as following the media (Thai newspapers and TV). Or when you walk down a street how much texts and images you understand, subtle signals that indicate what social class lives, how many strangers you see (strangers are scary, a potential threat). A Dutchman is less likely to pick up on all the differences between people than a Thai. If you do not receive all kinds of (subjective!) signals, you will therefore also form a different picture of, for example, safety.
The image of the robbery in Lop Buri, which was recently seen on social media, which I also saw, that an innocent little boy was shot right through the head by mother's hand, will never disappear from my retina, Yes Johnny BG, I took a big blow there, in the confidence of the Thai, never have I seen something so terrible, yes you live in another country, the rose-colored country.
The Bangkok Post article reports that respondents' perceptions of safety and personal well-being have declined compared to last year. The respondents name a number of factors that they think cause this diminished feeling. The article says nothing about how people from outside Thailand experience their safety and well-being. It is true that readers of Thailand blog often themselves say that they are shocked by the violence in Thai society.
It is also striking that Bangkok Post (in its online view) reports, for example: the drowning of a brother and sister of 8 and 6 years old in a pond behind their house ie Chasoengsao; of the discovery of many hundreds of human bone remains, probably from several murdered persons, in a well in Bangkok; of traffic incidents such as that of a tour bus that overturned with several injuries in Nan, and a head-on collision of pick-ups that killed parents and their 2 children; then arrests after all kinds of thwarted drug shipments, plus the prevailing national air pollution \, and last but not least the ongoing political entanglements.
I've been coming to Thailand for 20 years, but I'm starting to feel less safe
Just look at amarin TV and you know enough
I am now starting to feel much safer in Antwerp
Why are there all bars on the windows I asked my wife oh that's to keep the thieves out and you can say what you want but you're in the mail yourself
Luckily I didn't care about LOVE THAILAND
I still feel just as safe or unsafe now as I did forty years ago. You can't trust strangers and you have to keep an eye on your belongings… it always has been.
I have always felt less safe in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo, let alone Caracas or Buenos Aires… I also thought Mexico was less safe. New York? No, I never really felt safe there.
But Bangkok? Never had any problems. I have been lied to and cheated in Thailand. But that too now no more than 40 years ago. On the contrary, now even less than then.