Migrant Labour in Thailand: The Thai State and Governance of International Labour Migration since the 1990s

Abstract

This thesis examines international labour migration (ILM) in Thailand since the 1990s. Labour migration is a critical challenge for the Thai state and plays a key role in the economic, social and political development of the country. Migration has generated change in Thailand's labour market and pattern of settlement and an understanding of its causes and dynamics is crucial to guide appropriate economic and social planning. The study shows that the Thai state has implemented a range of measures over the years to address issues of migration, security and development. These concepts are interrelated. Irregular (illegal migration) represents a significant threat because it places pressure on Thailand's relationships with Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. At the same time, there is a need to incorporate migration issues into policy and promote better governance of migration as Thailand moves towards a knowledge-based economy. Key policy challenges that are discussed in the thesis deal with different dimensions of migration. Issues covered include the characteristics, processes and causes of ILM; skilled labour migration; lower-skilled migration; and regional migration flows. The role of policy in addressing some of the major challenges posed by migration is examined in detail. This is of obvious importance given that migration issues affect co-operation with other states. The thesis examines different groups of foreign workers, provides profiles of workers and makes distinctions between different categories of the foreign workforce. It also documents the migration experiences of two groups of foreign workers, unskilled construction workers and skilled (professional) workers.