The Role of the Thai Government in Regulating Cybercrime: A Mixed-Methods Study on Economic and Social Impacts in Bangkok

Abstract

The researcher examined the effectiveness of Thailand’s governmental regulatory framework in addressing cybercrime and its subsequent socioeconomic impacts within the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Through a comprehensive analysis of quantitative survey data from 1,142 Bangkok residents (response rate 95.2%) and qualitative insights from 20 cybersecurity experts and policymakers, the researcher investigated the relationship between regulatory implementation and cybercrime prevention outcomes. The findings revealed a statistically significant correlation between regulatory awareness and reduced cybercrime victimization (r = -.683, p < .001), with high digital engagement respondents experiencing substantially lower annual losses (THB 15,426) compared to low engagement users (THB 31,542). The sectoral analysis demonstrated varying effectiveness across different economic sectors, with financial services showing the highest compliance rate (89.4%) and corresponding risk reduction (72.4%). Qualitative data highlighted implementation challenges, particularly resource constraints and the need for specialized expertise. The researcher identified a strong relationship between regulatory effectiveness and digital trust, with data protection awareness strongly correlating with overall trust levels (r = .812, p < .001). These findings contribute significant empirical evidence to the cybersecurity governance literature by establishing quantifiable links between regulatory implementation and cybercrime reduction in rapidly digitalizing urban economies, addressing a critical gap in empirical research on regulatory effectiveness in Southeast Asian contexts. The research provided evidence-based recommendations for enhancing regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the importance of sector-specific approaches and public awareness initiatives in strengthening cybersecurity governance.