CONFRONTING ONLINE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THAILAND: STRUCTURAL VULNERABILITIES AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICY RESPONSES

Abstract

This article critically examines the proliferation of online gender-based violence (OGBV) in Thailand, conceptualizing digital abuse as a manifestation of entrenched structural inequalities. Utilizing a qualitative methodology comprising focus groups and in-depth interviews, the study captures the lived experiences of survivors—including women, youth, and LGBTQ+ individuals—alongside critical insights from legal and social practitioners. The empirical findings reveal that technological affordances, such as user anonymity and rapid viral dissemination, severely amplify traditional patriarchal harassment. Consequently, victims frequently endure profound psychological trauma and intense social stigmatization, which are further exacerbated by fragmented institutional responses and the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework. To break this self-reinforcing cycle of digital marginalization, the research strongly advocates comprehensive structural reforms. Key policy recommendations explicitly include enacting specific OGBV legislation, establishing a centralized national agency focused on digital victim support, enhancing societal digital literacy, and fostering collaborative governance directly with technology platforms. Ultimately, securing the modern digital ecosystem requires seamlessly integrating robust legal protections with transformative cultural shifts to ensure fundamental human dignity actively.