Crime Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Motorcycle Thefts in the Thai-Cambodian Border in Sa Kaeo Province using the Geographic Information System

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a spatial analysis of crimes related to motorcycle thefts, the time that crimes happened, and crime prediction for motorcycle thefts in the next five years. Criminal data were collected in the Thai–Cambodian border in three subdistricts in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, including Aranyaprathet, Pa Rai, and Ta Kham. A total of 81 motorcycle theft cases between 2017 and 2018 were examined. Research results demonstrated that there was a high density of motorcycle theft cases in the area with high population density, which was Aranyaprathet Subdistrict. Therefore, it was predicted that motorcycle thefts would tend to happen in the city areas where a lot of people live, such as schools, government facilities, fresh markets, shops, and restaurants. Particularly, a permanent Thai–Cambodian border crossing checkpoint, Klong Luk Boundary Post, is located in Aranyaprathet Subdistrict, which has been considered the most important gateway for international trade between Thailand and Cambodia. As people are allowed to cross the border via the checkpoint, it is more likely that crimes will happen in the area. A high level of migration at the checkpoint could result in dilapidated housing, poverty, and population diversity that may cause conflicts in society. All of these problems could be obstacles to social organization and eventually lead to crime. Especially, motorcycle thefts are usually committed by juvenile delinquents who have more tendency to steal things. Research findings can be utilized for crime risk assessment and surveillance for crime prevention in the studied area in the future.