A Study of Car Foreclosure Crime Problems in Bangkok

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to explore the patterns, processes, and impacts of pawned vehicle crime in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. The study recruited 15 participants across six groups, including both legal and illegal car pawners and pawnees, hire-purchase loan officers, and government officials. The findings reveal that car pawning in Thai society can be classified into two main forms: legal pawning, such as pledging fully paid vehicles to officially registered service providers, and illegal pawning, such as pawning vehicles still under hire-purchase agreements to unregulated individuals without clear contractual documentation or notification to the finance company. The latter often leads to cases of forfeiture and criminal activities, including document forgery, illegal vehicle sales, and the use of pawned vehicles in illicit activities such as drug trafficking or smuggling of contraband. This problem not only undermines economic confidence in the used car market but also causes significant harm to unsuspecting consumers who purchase vehicles without knowledge of their origin or legal status. As a result, it burdens government agencies with complex, resource-intensive processes of investigation and prosecution. Therefore, it is recommended to establish effective mechanisms for regulating and monitoring vehicle pawning activities, enhance public awareness, and foster integrated collaboration between public and private sectors to address the issue sustainably.