Migration to Work in Malaysia of People in Tanyong Po Subdistrict, Muang District, Satun Province: Changing in Last 20 Years

Abstract

This research is a qualitative study to understand and explain changers of factors affecting migration to work in Malaysia by the people of Tanyong Po subdistrict, Muang district, Satun province during the past 20 years, (1991-2010). The main source of the analysis is based on primary data collecting in the three villages of Tanyong Po sub-district using structured and focus group interviews. Respondents includes those who have experienced migrating to work in Malaysia as well as community leaders and other key informants. The study found that the factors affecting the migration to work in Malaysia by people from Tanyong Po Subdistrict, Muang district, Satun province during the past 20 years, (1991-2010) have 4 factors that are still the same as the past styudy of Kasem Pasongpong and Aree Songmuang( 1990), which are economic factors, geographic factors of two adjacent territories, labor factors and cultural factors. The changing factor is the popularity of Malaysia. It is worth nothing that the pattern of migration to work in Malaysia has changed. With fewer migrants working in Malaysia, due to some people stop moving and return to work in village and those with secondary education and bachelor’s degrees have moved to work with in the country. However, as long as the wage difference in Thailand and Malaysia as still very different. Moreover, lack of work in the village will result in continuing migration to work in Malaysia.