THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRUGS AND CRIME COMMITTED BY ASEAN PRISONERS IN THAI PRISONS

Abstract

Since drugs and crimes have gone worldwide issues, purely national responses are inadequate. These threats have been adversely affecting the security of countries in Southeast Asia region under the ASEAN cooperation. This study aims to explore the offending histories related drugs cases, criminal behavior and motivating factors in Thailand, together with determining the relationship between drugs and crime. The study used a qualitative approach, conducted by reviewing information, and collecting data in form of constructed in-depth interviews with the prisoners fro, ASEAN nations in Thai prisons on drug related charges and also executives from the Thai Office of Narcotics Control Board. The study found that prisoner’s families played a very significant role in shaping both the positive and negative behavior. Negative conditions in the workplace or residences are one of stimulating factors of drugs-crime problems. The group of prisoners from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines had enough income in Thailand but not in their home countries. So they were mostly drug dealers, drug sellers, and drug traffickers. The prisoners from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam committed crimes because of their anger and dissatisfaction. Thailand is one of the largest countries in region-it has drug production area, a lengthy border, and is a regional hub of aviation. These factors led to the prisoners coming to Thailand in get involved with drugs; selling, buying, producing, finding the raw materials and/or chemical agents for drug production and taking drugs. There are also many factors influence the relationship of drugs use lead to committing crimes; psychological, pharmacological, social environment and economic factors. The most significant stimulating factor is ‘money’. The relationship between drugs use and crimes always affects each other. So, the relationships are linked and the links depend on the prisoner’s specific situations, as to when and how a crime is committed. According to the ASEAN should set the long term plan for solving drug related to crimes problem in the future. To drive on the main core under the same direction and controls, based on the coordination, ASEAN should principally recognize the dimension of equality. All ASEAN member countries have to follow the same rule and regulations setting by the ASEAN drugs international organization.