Developing the Youth Crime Prevention Guidelines in Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to present the current situation of juvenile crime, as well as the laws, policies, and mechanisms for juvenile crime prevention in Thailand and other countries. It also highlights good practices in juvenile crime prevention and proposes policy recommendations and directions for developing appropriate strategies for juvenile crime prevention in Thailand.

The study is a qualitative document-based research approach, focusing on a literature review, and data collection through in-depth interviews with experts from relevant sectors. The data obtained from the study are analyzed in a descriptive format according to the research objectives. The findings reveal that the juvenile crime situation in Thailand, the Federal Republic of Brazil, the Republic of the Philippines, and the Commonwealth of Australia is facing a serious and increasing problem of juvenile crime. In addition, the causes of the problem are more diverse and complex, involving both internal and external factors. Each country has laws, policies, measures, and mechanisms that differ according to the context. The good practices in preventing juvenile crime are as follows: 1) Reviewing risk factors for juvenile crime and 2) Setting target factors for success, including safety as a basic right that citizens should receive, long-term project planning, creating cooperation with agencies and organizations, and involving civil society in project design. The policy recommendations for developing appropriate approaches to preventing juvenile crime include stipulating that all sectors have duties and responsibilities in strengthening the family institution and kinship system in monitoring and preventing juvenile delinquency among youth under their care, and stipulating that state and local agencies and mechanisms have duties and responsibilities in preventing juvenile delinquency in their areas of responsibility.