NCJ Number
124262
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the development of the insurance industry in Thailand, this paper discusses related legislation, insurance crimes in Thailand, criminal justice action against insurance crime, society's role in preventing such crime, and international measures for preventing and controlling insurance crime.
Abstract
Currently, there is no legislation in Thailand directed specifically at insurance crime. Such crimes are prosecuted under the Thai Penal Code, the Life Insurance Act, and the Act for Insurance Against Loss. Documented insurance crimes in Thailand have involved the insurer, the insured, and third parties. Crimes by the insurer include misrepresentation of the contract, and crimes by the insured include arson, false claims of auto theft, misrepresentation or concealment in claims, and murder and false death. Third-party insurance crimes may involve insurance beneficiaries, the opposite party in a car accident, or insurance company personnel. Some barriers to the criminal justice system's effective response to insurance crime include insufficient knowledge to match the sophistication of the offenders and the absence of legislation that deals directly with the crimes. The creation of specialized police units has helped to improve the detection and investigation of insurance crime, however. The paper concludes with suggestions for international cooperation in dealing with insurance crime.