Lack of Jobs and High Cost of Living Drive Migrant Workers Back to Thailand

[Jacob Maslow]

Migrant workers from Myanmar are heading back to Thailand just ahead of the Thingyan festival. High living expenses and lack of jobs leaves many migrants workers with few options but to return to Thailand to support their families.

Thailand has made efforts to prevent illegal workers from entering the country. Between 2011 and 2015, the country has deported more than 500,000 illegal Myanmar workers. Currently, there are many Myanmar migrants workers who don’t have the necessary legal documents to work in the country. Many of these workers are seeking out work in the agricultural and fishery sectors in remote areas of southern Thailand.

Many of the workers returned to Myanmar to celebrate the Tabaung Festival mid-March, but will be unable to return for Thingyan, which is similar to Thailand’s Songkran festival. Many Myanmar workers don’t want to go back to Thailand, but are left with no other choice. Lack of jobs and depleted savings have forced Myanmar workers to look elsewhere for jobs.

Thousands of migrant workers from Myanmar wait in line for a visa stamping at the Thai border each day. Each worker is required to pay a Bt20 registration fee. But workers who prefer not to wait in line can pay a broker Bt120-Bt150 to complete and expedite the paperwork. The latter option isn’t an official one, but many migrant workers are taking the risk simply because they cannot wait to find work.

-- 2015-02-04

[yellowboat]

Most investment in Thailand has to be scared off by now by the junta. It is hopeful that Thailand's failures will prove to be its neighbors' windfall. Seen this in Cambodia which welcomes digital nomads, retirees and contractors waiting for their next job. Country still has a long way to go, but the current situation in Thailand is helping.