Overseas Voting and Electoral Behavior of Thai Migrant Workers in Malaysia in the 2023 General Election

Daungyewa  Utarasint; Oracha Rakdee

Authors

Daungyewa Utarasint Faculty of Humanities, New York University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Oracha Rakdee Faculty of Humanities, New York University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2 Faculty of Political Science, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Province, 94000, Thailand

Keywords:

electoral behavior, overseas election, Thai Workers in Malaysia, the 2023 general election

Abstract

This study examines overseas voting and electoral behavior among Thai migrant workers in Malaysia during the 2023 election. Employing a qualitative interpretive paradigm, data were collected through documentary research, non-participant observation at an overseas polling station, and in-depth interviews with 40 participants comprising Thai migrant workers and Thai government officials. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to systematically identify recurring patterns of meaning across interview transcripts. The results indicate minimal overseas voting participation. Of the estimated 171,513 Thai nationals residing in Malaysia, only 3,360 individuals cast ballots overseas, equivalent to 1.96% of the total Thai population in Malaysia. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed that office workers constituted approximately 60% of overseas voters at the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, demonstrating greater awareness of voting rights (X1), comprehensive procedural knowledge (X2) acquired through social media, and positive perceptions of election management quality (X3). Electoral behavior followed either candidate-based (CB) or party-based (PB) patterns, determined by regional origin and occupational status. Workers from the southern border provinces exhibited occupation-dependent voting behavior: white-collar employees demonstrated party-based behavior favoring the Move Forward Party, whereas Tom Yam restaurant workers displayed dual patterns—candidate-based constituency voting influenced by social networks and party-based party-list voting supporting the Move Forward Party. Workers from the northern and northeastern regions consistently employed party-based decision-making, predominantly supporting the Pheu Thai Party. These findings confirm that regional origin and occupational status significantly mediate overseas electoral participation and voting behavior among Thai migrant workers, with geographical origin shaping both decision-making patterns and party preferences in transnational electoral contexts.

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