Journal of Contemporary Social Sciences and Humanities

Building an Integrated Enforcement Framework Against CSAM-Related Trafficking in Thailand

2026-04-27T13:03:18+07:00

This article develops an integrated enforcement framework for addressing human trafficking linked to the production and dissemination of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in Thailand. The study employs documentary analysis; nine semi-structured in-depth interviews with officials from Thai and international law enforcement, prosecution, government, the private sector, and academia; and three focus group discussions (FGDs) involving law enforcement, prosecution, government agencies, and NGOs, totalling twenty-seven participation instances from twenty-one unique informants. Interviews and FGDs were guided by semi-structured, open-ended instruments. Findings indicate that the challenge is not the absence of legal provisions, but the misalignment of legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and enforcement practices in responding to digitally mediated exploitation. Although the Palermo Protocol’s act-means-purpose framework is formally applicable, cases are processed under CSAM or cybercrime offences rather than trafficking. This reflects institutional fragmentation, staff rotation, resource constraints, and performance indicators prioritising case volume and procedural efficiency over complexity and victim protection. The article proposes a four-pillar framework: centralised coordination and case screening; victim-centred pathways adapted to persistent digital harm; integrated digital intelligence and cross-border cooperation; and specialist capacity supported by performance reform. It realigns prosecution, protection, and prevention with child-rights-based principles and introduces mechanisms to identify and elevate exploitation within the trafficking framework. It advances a re-reading of trafficking in digital contexts, reoperationalises the three Ps for persistent digital harm, and integrates criminological and institutional perspectives. It concludes that effective enforcement requires institutional and operational reconfiguration centred on the rights and dignity of the child.

Criminal Justice Challenges in Tackling Labour Trafficking in Thailand’s Fishing Industry

2025-09-08T10:25:59+07:00

Despite Thailand’s internationally lauded legal reforms to combat labour trafficking, enforcement in the fishing industry remains weak and inconsistent. This study explores the disjuncture between Thailand’s formal anti-trafficking commitments and frontline implementation, focusing on the experiences and discretion of police officers, labour inspectors, prosecutors, and NGO workers. Drawing on procedural justice theory and street-level bureaucracy, the research analyses 38 semi-structured interviews conducted across four trafficking-affected provinces. Findings reveal systemic challenges in identifying trafficking cases, including misclassification as administrative or immigration offences, rigid operational procedures, and narrow perceptions of victimhood. Prosecution is further hindered by prohibitive evidentiary thresholds, victim attrition, and risk-averse institutional cultures. Fragmented inter-agency coordination and misaligned performance incentives exacerbate these issues, while reactive enforcement driven by international scrutiny undermines sustainable progress. The study argues that meaningful anti-trafficking enforcement requires more than legal frameworks—it demands structural reform of frontline practices, institutional incentives, and victim-centred engagement. Recommendations include redesigning inspection protocols, empowering prosecutors, realigning performance metrics, institutionalising coordination, and establishing independent oversight. This research contributes to global discussions on trafficking governance, particularly the importance of aligning legal commitments with operational realities.

Community Safety in Respect of Implementing the Use of Community-Oriented Public Police Auxiliaries in Thailand through Comparisons with the United Kingdom

2026-04-27T12:10:45+07:00

This qualitative study explores the role of public police auxiliaries in maintaining community security in Thailand, using the United Kingdom as a comparative case. The study aims to examine key problems and obstacles in community safety management, identify policy recommendations to enhance public safety, and propose a community-based security management model appropriate for the Thai context.

Data were collected through in-depth interviews with a wide range of stakeholders in Thailand, including executives and practitioners from the Royal Thai Police, the Ministries of Justice and Interior, academics, civil society representatives, community leaders, and local residents. Comparative insights were obtained from interviews conducted in Jersey, Cumbria, and Dundee in the United Kingdom with senior government officials, police executives, police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), honorary police, academics, and community members. A multi-agency focus group discussion in Thailand was also conducted to strengthen the analysis.

The findings reveal clear contrasts between the two countries. Thailand’s community security policy is predominantly implemented through a top-down approach, limiting meaningful community participation. In addition, Thailand lacks specific legislation defining the role, authority, and accountability of police auxiliaries, unlike the United Kingdom’s well-established legal framework. Although public participation is emphasized in Thai police strategic plans, effective mechanisms for community engagement remain weak. Furthermore, training and evaluation systems for community safety volunteers in Thailand are constrained by limited budgets and manpower.

The study recommends legislative reform, structural and administrative improvements, and the promotion of community policing and neighborhood watch initiatives to strengthen sustainable community security in Thailand.

Social Work Activities in Preventing and Intervening Dating Violence Among Students in Hanoi: Current Situation and Impact Factors

2026-05-05T11:01:12+07:00

Dating violence among university students has become an important social and public health concern in many countries. In Vietnam, empirical research on the role of social work activities in preventing dating violence in university settings remains limited. This study examines the structure of social work activities related to the prevention and intervention of dating violence among university students in Hanoi and explores factors associated with students’ evaluations of the effectiveness of these activities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with university students using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha reliability testing, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. The results identify six groups of social work activities, five of which demonstrate acceptable levels of reliability. Regression results show that professional counseling services, intervention capacity and service coordination, and the institutional social work capacity of universities are positively associated with students’ evaluations (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that students tend to value practical and professional support services more than general awareness activities. The study highlights the importance of strengthening counseling services, improving service coordination, and enhancing the institutional capacity of social work in universities to support dating violence prevention efforts.

Visual Reconstruction of the Colour Spectrum in Chinese Huishan Clay Figurines within the Context of Guochao

2026-02-20T10:21:15+07:00

The colour system of Huishan clay figurines serves as a key visual symbol for understanding the folk aesthetics and cultural identity of the Jiangnan region. This study explores the pathways of contemporary transformation for this traditional colour spectrum within the context of the ‘Guochao’ trend. Through an analysis of colour semiotics and visual culture, this paper demonstrates that the colours of Huishan clay figurines are rooted in the Chinese philosophy of the ‘Five Elements and Five Colours’, forming a stable spectrum characterised by high saturation, strong contrast, and auspicious symbolism. Driven by the ‘Guochao’ trend, traditional colours undergo creative transformation through three mechanisms: the recoding of visual symbols, digital translation, and cross-sectoral industrial integration. The research demonstrates that ‘Guochao’ does not constitute mere appropriation, but rather breathes new life into traditional colours by reconstructing their semantic meanings and embedding them within cultural and creative industries, fashion, and urban branding. This study provides concrete case studies and theoretical references for the contemporary innovation of intangible cultural heritage.

Guidelines to Strengthen Mental Health of Undergraduate Students at Universities in Eastern Thailand

2026-03-28T15:52:56+07:00

This research aimed to examine the factors influencing the mental health of undergraduate students at public universities in Eastern Thailand. The study focused on undergraduate students enrolled in public universities located in the Eastern region of Thailand, specifically in Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, and Chanthaburi provinces. Data were collected from 500 students selected via a multi-stage sampling method, with the sample size determined based on the N:Q rule. The research instrument, validated with IOC values ranging from 0.50 to 1.00 and a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.95, was an online questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS to test the research hypotheses and assess the model's fit. The findings revealed that social support had direct and indirect positive influences on coping strategies , work-life balance, and career satisfaction coping strategies significantly supported mental health and helped students maintain a balance between education and personal life, which in turn increased career satisfaction. SEM analysis demonstrated an excellent model fit with the empirical data: X²= 194.962, df = 165, p = .055, X^2/df = 1.182, GFI = .962, CFI = .962, and RMSEA = .019. The coefficient of determination (R²) indicated that the model could explain 44% of the variance in career satisfaction. These findings suggest that universities should establish comprehensive social support systems and promote effective coping strategies to enhance students' work-life balance and long-term career satisfaction.

Development of Integrated Financial Performance Measurement Model for Community-Based Tourism in Southern Thailand

2026-03-25T13:23:50+07:00

This study aims (1) to develop indicators contextualized for the community-based tourism enterprises in Southern Thailand (Songkhla, Krabi, Trang, and Phang Nga), (2) to examine the structural relationships among Community Participation, Sustainability Performance, Tourist Satisfaction, and Financial Performance, and (3) to propose strategic guidelines for enhanced financial efficiency. A mixed-methods design combining qualitative and quantitative research was employed. The qualitative approach utilized semi-structured interviews with 25 experts, including local accountants, community leaders, and tourism policymakers, to validate and enrich the statistical findings. The quantitative analysis evaluated the integrated model using survey data from 250 community enterprises and 800 tourists through covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The model demonstrated acceptable empirical fit (CFI = 0.943, TLI = 0.930, RMSEA = 0.045), confirming the validity of the four core constructs. SEM analysis revealed that Sustainability Performance positively influences Tourist Satisfaction (β = 0.256, p < 0.05), which subsequently enhances Financial Performance (β = 0.324, p < 0.01). Community Participation did not have a statistically significant direct effect on Financial Performance. To address microenterprise constraints, the developed indicators extend beyond conventional corporate metrics by establishing non-traditional indicators, such as cash flow predictability, community-based cost efficiency, and localized internal accounting monitoring tools. The study proposes strategic development guidelines focusing on establishing community sustainability accounting, enhancing local governance structures, and elevating the quality of service to secure long-term financial health. This framework effectively connects grassroots participation with sustainable regional development. These guidelines can be applied both academically and practically.

Assessing Biophilic Design, Place Quality, and Sustainability in Commercial Leisure Spaces: Case Studies in Bangkok’s CBD

2026-02-19T11:24:56+07:00

Rapid urbanization has increased the demand for commercial leisure spaces that support human well-being, high-quality public environments, and environmental sustainability. In Bangkok’s central business district (CBD), contemporary shopping malls increasingly integrate biophilic design, placemaking strategies, and sustainability initiatives to enhance visitor experience and environmental responsibility. This study investigates how biophilic design, place quality, and sustainability can be jointly achieved and evaluated in commercial leisure spaces.

An integrated biophilic and sustainable place framework was developed through an extensive literature review, synthesizing the 15 Patterns of Biophilic Design, the Twelve Quality Criteria for public spaces, and the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework was applied as an observational assessment tool to three case studies in Bangkok’s CBD: an indoor future-oriented commercial destination, an elevated urban rooftop park, and an outdoor pedestrian walking street. On-site observations were conducted by a multidisciplinary observer team using a three-point scoring system across 44 indices.

The results indicate that all case studies demonstrate strong place quality, while differing in their approaches to biophilic design and sustainability. The rooftop urban park achieves the highest overall performance due to its rich, multi-sensory human–nature interactions. The indoor commercial space excels in sustainability alignment and programmatic innovation, while the outdoor walking street demonstrates strengths in social vitality and enjoyment. Overall, the findings suggest that authentic biophilic environments, diverse activity programming, and visible sustainability initiatives significantly enhance user experience and sustainability awareness. The proposed framework offers a transferable tool for evaluating biophilic and sustainable commercial leisure spaces in dense urban contexts.