Female Migration in Thailand

Abstract

This chapter reviews past and current research in female migration in Thailand and outlines policies that influence this component of mobility. Female migration is placed in the context of overall migration and urbanization patterns in Thailand. Characteristics of female migrants motivation for migration and adjustment problems are discussed. The final section examines current policies for female migrants and makes recommendations for implementing new programs in this area. It was not until 1960 that information relevent to the migration of Thailands population was tabulated. This study uses census data for 1960 and 1970 to examine changing patterns of internal migration in Thailand. Between 1960 and 1970 the total population increased by 31%; the number of recent migrants by 125%. The data clearly indicate that overall migration in Thailand is rapidly increasing. Between 1955 and 1960 and 1965 and 1970 there was a striking change in the sex composition of migrants to the capital with a higher proportion of female than male migrants in the period of 1965-70. Female migration to urban areas is particularly high among young adults. The Survey of Migration in Bangkok metropolis painted a picture of the typical migrant as a young unmarried male or female from a village in the northeast who moves to Bangkok without any other family members to seek employment as a laborer or service worker. The proportion of women who migrated between 1965 and 1970 increased steadily with higher educational attainment. The pattern of education plays a role in the migration process. From ages 7 to 13 female migrants were less likely to be attending school than female nonmigrants. Over 50% of female migrants to Bangkok take jobs as service sport and recreation workers while more than 1/4 become crafts workers production process workers and laborers. Most migration is motivated by a combination of unfavorable conditions at the place of origin. Economics played a major role in migration decisions in this study. Education was also an important motivating factor. The provision of better information on migration and urban employment is recommended.