Myanmar’s political turmoil has driven a dramatic surge in student migration to Thailand, with enrolments rising sixfold since the 2021 coup, according to a new study.

The report, co-authored by Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw of the University of Bristol and Dr. Sirada Khemanitthathai of Chiang Mai University, reveals that annual enrolments by Myanmar students in Thai degree programmes have soared from around 2,500 before the coup to more than 17,000 in 2025.

Researchers found that repression, violence and the collapse of Myanmar’s higher education system were the main drivers. For many, the choice to study abroad was less about opportunity than survival. “It was no longer safe for me to live in Myanmar after I joined the anti-regime protests,” one former teacher now studying in Chiang Mai told the Irrawaddy.

The study identifies three waves of migration: the immediate aftermath of the junta’s crackdown on the Civil Disobedience Movement, the breakdown of universities, and most recently, the enforcement of mandatory conscription. The law, introduced in 2024, requires men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27 to serve up to two years, with specialists such as doctors and engineers facing even longer terms. Covering some 14 million citizens, it triggered a mass exodus of young people.

Thailand has become a natural destination, offering relatively affordable living costs, scholarships and stronger academic standards. The influx, however, is not without challenges. Students report inconsistent visa rules, corruption and discrimination, leaving many uncertain about their future once their studies end.

For Myanmar, the trend represents a deepening brain drain. For Thailand, it is both an economic and strategic gain, with tuition fees, living expenses and the prospect of skilled graduates bolstering its role as a regional education hub. Yet the report warns that unless Thai authorities improve transparency and simplify visa processes, the country risks losing the full benefit of this migration.

As one student put it, the choice was stark: “Maybe the last option will just be to go home.” For thousands of Myanmar’s young people, however, home remains the least safe place to be.

-2026-03-27

I am aware of restaurants in BKK owned & run by Burmese who have both Thai & English language skills. But I wonder how students navigate Thai university courses ...