Interacting with global refugee complexity and wresting control: Shan refugees and migrants in Thailand

Abstract

The changes in Thailand's policy on labor migrant control appeared optimistic for refugee and human rights issues in recent years. This article argues that such positive adjustment is to take control of refugees and migrants outside the space of the global refugee regime. Using the case of Chiang Mai, Thailand, it discussed how the movement of Shan people in this area indicates mixed migration and how the Thai authorities and local Thais' views of them affect their status in Thailand. It examined the role of international norms that influence Thailand's policy and treatment of the Shan refugees and migrants in education and healthcare. Recent adjustments demonstrated that the Thai government began altering migration restrictions, although this is an attempt to seize control. In the refugee regime complexity, Thailand interacts with the regimes in two areas: education and healthcare, to maintain the control and manageability of refugees and migrants.