A synthesis report on labour migration policies, management and immigration pressure in Thailand

Many people are not aware of the role that migrant workers have increasingly played in Thai society and in contributing to its economic prosperity. No doubt, exports of Thailand’s agricultural and fishery sectors are the efforts of both Thai and foreign workers whose labours
include the growing, chemical spraying, harvesting, processing and transport of such goods. In 2007, migrant workers in Thailand paid fees which amounted to 405 million Baht ($12 million) as extra budgetary income to the government. Apart from paying the consumption tax, migrant
workers add considerable value to the gross domestic product of the Thai economy. Thus, many studies have come up with the undisputable conclusion that Thailand’s migrant workers bring
positive contributions to Thailand’s economy.

This synthesis report on labour migration policies, management, and immigration pressure in Thailand reviews studies on labour migration and highlights the critical issues including irregular labour migration, the benefits and the cost of migration, the past and current
migration policies, and the suggested policy reforms.