The Police as Society’s Defendant: Public Distrust Amid Conflict in Thai Society

Abstract

This academic article aims to analyze the role of social media in shaping public perception and expression toward the Thai police, particularly in the context of being made a social defendant In the digital society where information can be rapidly produced and disseminated through online platforms and smartphones, this phenomenon facilitates trial by social media, where users can express critical opinions, criticize, or even accuse without sufficient fact-checking, especially happen in cases of severe crimes or disputes with an imbalance of power between the parties involved. Police officers, as a crucial mechanism in the criminal justice process, often become targets of hate speech and stereotyping, such as accusations of class discrimination or being under the patronage of powerful figures, even before cases have been adjudicated in court. Such communication not only affects the image of the Royal Thai Police but also undermines public trust in the overall justice process, potentially leading to a long-term erosion of institutional legitimacy. This article invites careful consideration of the impacts of using harsh language, social stigmatization, and the role of social media in shaping public perception of the police, who are the frontline of the justice process in Thai society.