The Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic Control Measures on Crimes in Thailand

Main Article Content

Arunee Punyasavatsut

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic control measures on crimes in Thailand by estimating the equations of determinants of total crime rate and various types of crimes. Panel data for 77 provinces from January 2020 to December 2021, a total of 1,464 samples, are used. The estimated results show that measures to control the spread of COVID-19 by closing places that are at risk of contracting the disease such as pubs, bars and entertainment places, as a result, the crime of drug offenses decreased. The curfew resulted in the crime of property offenses, car and motorcycle theft offences, and the crime of drug offenses decreased. However, the announcement of the curfew made a large number of people violating it, which is an offense according to the Government Administration in Emergency Situations Act of 2005, thus increasing the total crime rate. It also found that other factors that affect some crime rates include unemployment, the number of immigrant workers, and being a tourist city. Their increases result in increased crime rates. While a higher police clear-up crime rate will reduce crime.

Article Details

How to Cite
Punyasavatsut, A. (2023). The Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic Control Measures on Crimes in Thailand. Journal of Criminology and Forensic Science, 9(1), 73–90. retrieved from https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/forensic/article/view/262883
Section
Research Articles

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