Guidelines for Preventing Crime Victimization of Foreign Tourists in Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

               This study aims to (1) examine patterns and characteristics of crime victimization among foreign tourists, (2) explore problems and constraints in prevention from police officers’ perspectives, and (3) identify suitable prevention approaches within the context of Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province. A qualitative design was employed using in-depth interviews with 21 key informants: 8 local police officers, 5 tourist police officers, 5 tourism business operators, and 3 foreign tourists. Findings indicate that victimization in the study area is predominantly opportunity-based, including property-related crimes, price exploitation and fraud, and conflicts or disturbances linked to alcohol consumption in nighttime entertainment areas. Major risk factors are spatial and temporal conditions such as blind spots, poorly lit locations, inadequate safety infrastructure, and nighttime activities, all of which increase tourists’ vulnerability. In terms of prevention, police officers face multiple operational constraints, including limited manpower, resources and budgets, insufficient support tools, language and communication barriers, and challenges in coordinating with local agencies and tourism operators. Synthesized prevention approaches emphasize proactive surveillance in high-risk places and time periods, improvement of functional safety infrastructure, multilingual risk communication, enhancement of officers’ language capacity and accessible emergency contact channels, and strengthening collaborative networks among police, local authorities, and tourism businesses to promote sustainable tourist safety and confidence.