The Vulnerability of International The Vulnerability of International Migrants in Rural Areas of Udon Thani Migrants in Rural Areas of Udon Thani

and Khon Kaen,and Khon Kaen,ThailandThailand

Associate Professor Sukanya AimimthamAssociate Professor Sukanya AimimthamKhon Kaen UniversityKhon Kaen University

ThailandThailandJuly 11, 2007July 11, 2007

Oversea MigrantOversea Migrant

300 samplings 300 samplings were explored were explored with in-depth with in-depth interview casesinterview cases..

Working on farmWorking on farm

Caused byCaused by

- the country’s uneven the country’s uneven economic & social economic & social developmentdevelopment

- rising unemployment - rising unemployment figures figures

Oversea Migration in ThailandOversea Migration in Thailand

History of sending workers abroadHistory of sending workers abroad

• Started during the 1950s and 1960s Started during the 1950s and 1960s when growing numbers of Thais went when growing numbers of Thais went to study.to study.

• The 1970s and 1980s thousands of The 1970s and 1980s thousands of Thai’s sought employment.Thai’s sought employment.

• Most of them are from the North and Most of them are from the North and the Northeast the Northeast

• In 1992, the estimated of Thais In 1992, the estimated of Thais working abroad was close to half a working abroad was close to half a million.million.

• In 1995 they are officially report to a In 1995 they are officially report to a peak of 202,300 personspeak of 202,300 persons

• Laborers from the Northeast are still Laborers from the Northeast are still in the top most in terms of number.in the top most in terms of number.

Returnee’s interviewReturnee’s interview

• Most of them received foreign work permits through private agents

• Commission to work overseas and related cost was very high.

• Most laborers acquired loan from sources other than bank.

Province Male Female Total

Udon Thani 8,717 1,286 10,003

Nakhon Ratchasima 6,689 1,087 7,776

Khon Kaen 4,645 630 5,275

Burirum 4,053 606 4,659

Chaiyaphoum 3,815 556 4,371

Nong Khai 3,419 494 3,913

Sakon Nakhon 2,719 384 3,103

Nakhon Phanom 2,771 243 3,014

Nong Bualumphu 2,225 281 2,506

Northeastern Thai Overseas Laborers by Province (2001).

Migrants’ Father and Father-in-Law

Province Total

Khon Kaen 9,930Chai Yaphoum 8,828Nakhon Phanom 6,152Nakhon Ratchasima 14,355Burirum 9,233Sakon Nakhon 6,828Nong Khai 9,091Udon Thani 21,724

Total 110,898

Number of Thailand laborers working abroad in the Northeast (The 8th highest ranking provinces)

Migrants’ son

ResultResult• Occupation ChangesOccupation Changes• Consumption Life Style changesConsumption Life Style changes

ResultsResults

Some of the returneesSome of the returnees

- have money to buy land- have money to buy land

- become moneylenders- become moneylenders

- have higher social status- have higher social status

The VulnerabilityThe Vulnerability

• Worrying about familyWorrying about family

HomesicknessHomesickness

• Debts Debts

• Family unhappiness, Broken FamiliesFamily unhappiness, Broken Families

• Unable to adapt to new environmentUnable to adapt to new environment

• Psychological problemsPsychological problems

• Low wagesLow wages

ConclusionConclusion

Law EnforcementEnforcement G to G G to G

Intervention to Recruitment Process,Intervention to Recruitment Process, Job Position, Returnee ProgramJob Position, Returnee Program