Myanmar Migrant Workers: Creating New Identity Areas across Regions. A Case Study of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the creation of new identity areas across regions of Myanmar migrant workers in a case study of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.  This study was a qualitative research.  The target group consisted of 21 Myanmar migrant workers, Thai laborer friends, entrepreneurs, and government officials, all of whom were purposively selected. The data were collected with the use of in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and non-participatory observation. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that the creation of new identity areas across regions of Myanmar migrant workers comprised the following:  (1) the creation of physical identity area, which consisted of the consuming of food that could be bought conveniently from every place and every time; the food was new, fresh; every meal could be taken until one was full; there was sufficient clothing to wear for various occasions; there was exclusive and safe accommodation; there was medical welfare, exercising or playing sports; they were proud to earn income through their own diligence to support themselves and their families; and they were happy that they had no debt but was able to have savings; (2) the creation of cultural identity area, which consisted of the use of language ability (more than two languages) in exchanging and creating cultural identity area; and the conduct based on the teaching of Buddhism which was the foundation of similar cultures; and (3) the creation of operation identity area, which was the effort to learn working techniques to indicate the way to earn one’s own living and the creation of one’s new identity as the working laborer in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.