LEGAL QUESTIONS ABOUT PROTECTION OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS TO RESTITUTION BY OFFENDER OF COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY CRIMES

Abstract

Presently, crimes have been transformed from offenses of ordinary-law crimes to more high-tech, complicated and ingenious crimes, especially computer and technology crimes, but mechanisms and measures for redressing the victims in the computer and technology crimes under the statutes are the same as the ordinary-law crimes, particularly in issues of rights to be redressed by the offenders. Restrictions are found within rights to institute civil cases in relation to criminal cases under the Criminal Procedure Code, which lacks clarity in terms of claims on mental distress damages that is significant damages in the computer and technology crimes. As a result, a study is conducted into approaches to protect the victims under Declaration of Basic Principle of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power 1985, in order to recommend approaches to further amending the law, as to be suitable for Thailand.