Readers looking for consistent coverage of “Thailand’s Underworld” will appreciate the new Bangkok Crimes blog. Run by Khlong Cowboy, it “aims to document the many different crimes occurring in Thailand and to try and understand them within the context of Thailand’s unique socio-cultural and political framework.”
It is off to a promising start, and will offer a monthly essay that delves into more scholarly issues. In the first month the essay seeks to answer the question, “Why did the U.S. support Democratic Kampuchea?“
5 responses so far ↓
1 club siam // Jun 1, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Good stuff.
What about documenting all the crimes against tourists.
here is a link to some news.
Crimes against foreigners here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=676476&page=6
2 Nick Nostitz // Jun 1, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I have photographed for many years crime and grime in Bangkok. A English language website on crime in Thailand is very welcome, but it has to include reports published in the Thai media. Bangkok Post and the Nation hardly write about crime. During my years taking photos of that underworld, less than a handful of cases i photographed ever made it into the English language papers, unfortunately, while many cases i have photographed were reported on in Thai language newspapers.
This of course leads to the common misconception under many foreigners that Thailand is compared to the west a relatively crime free and safe country.
3 Khlong Cowboy // Jun 1, 2009 at 6:01 pm
It is my intention to include Thai media reports and with translations where possible, although this is a time-consuming task it is necessary. I have already included a report from Khao Sod back in February, but it was a story with wide coverage. You are absolutely right that crime reporting is limited in the Bangkok Post and The Nation, especially compared with Thai language media. I have attempted to draw attention to the misconception you mention in an earlier post on crime stats in Thailand: http://www.bangkokcrimes.com/2009/05/27/thailand-crime-statistics/
I do want to focus on stories which have particular social, political or cultural significance rather than isolated incidents such as murders, robberies etc. but this may change as the blog develops.
Many thanks for your comments and interest.
4 Nick Nostitz // Jun 1, 2009 at 7:29 pm
“Khlong Cowboy”
I am very glad to hear that. As good as the crime coverage is in the Thai newpapers, what is completely missing, as you pointed out as well, the social, cultural and occasionally political significance.
I personally have missed this a lot, and in my photography have mostly concentrated on social and cultural significance of the cases i came across, and especially tried to find such cases, and worked in social hotspots, most of them not so well known as such.
I wish you good luck with your endeavor.
5 club siam // Jun 1, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I also have been photographing “gangsters” scamming on tourists for the last 2 years.
It’s unbelievable how many make their living defrauding tourists.
The worst offenders are Thai Authorities.
The Thai Tourist Mafia is positioned all over town, intercepting tourists.
Here is the BMA “Police” stalking & fining visitors.
Photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29324583@N05/sets/72157617714418287/detail/
Dozens more photos of the Thai Tourist Mafia here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29324583@N05/sets/
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