Factors Which Contributed to the Reduction of Torture in the Thai Criminal Justice System 1983-2007

Abstract

The reduction of the use of torture in a criminal justice system must be a priority for creating justice, with developing nations particularly struggling with the use of interrogational torture. This research addressed what social, economic, political and legal factors have affected the reduction of torture in democratic Thailand with a view to informing policy and legislation to maintain the standards of the United Nations Convention Against Torture. It was found, through comparing existing literature in the field of torture to sources on modern Thai political, legal, social and economic events and changes, that many social and economic factors have contributed to the reduction in the prevalence of torture. However some important governmental policies and police reforms must still be made. Further improvements at this stage are largely hindered by low financial resources to the police and other relevant bodies and high levels of corruption within the criminal justice system resulting in low rates of prosecution for torture. Whilst democracy has often been interrupted and flawed, there is high social participation and there have been improvements in the human rights focus of constitutions.

Keywords: Torture, Thai Royal Police, Police, Thailand, Criminal Justice