Asian Social Science; Vol. 10, No. 21; 2014 ISSN 1911-2017 E-ISSN 1911-2025 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education Causes of Domestic Violence between Thai Muslim Married Couples in Satun Province 1 Kasetchai Laeheem 1 Faculty of Liberal Arts, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Thailand Correspondence: Kasetchai Laeheem, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. E-mail:
[email protected] Received: June 24, 2014 Accepted: September 9, 2014 Online Published: October 30, 2014 doi:10.5539/ass.v10n21p89 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n21p89 Abstract The objectives of this qualitative study were to investigate causes of domestic violence between Thai Muslim married couples in Satun Province. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with three groups of key informants in Satun Province consisting of 1) twenty women facing domestic violence who were admitted in Satun Hospital through the One Stop Crisis Center (OSCC), 2) fifteen married husbands and wives using domestic violence recommended by the Community Mosque Committee, and 3) ten religious leaders. To analyze the data, content analysis was performed using logical comparison with concepts, theories, and research coupled with the context. It was found that domestic violence between Thai Muslim married couples in Satun Province stemmed from five important causes. 1) jealousy and suspicions, 2) alcohol and drug abuse, 3) lack of physical and mental readiness for building their own family, 4) lack of activities contributing to caring and understanding in the family, and 5) husbands’ values and belief in male dominance. Keywords: cause, domestic violence, Thai Muslim married couple 1.