Overcoming Employment Barriers: Strategies for Enhancing the Socio-Economic Integration of Professional Workers from Myanmar in Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/fddqg341Keywords:
Thai employment barriers, Myanmar professionals, integrationAbstract
The purpose of this study was to learn about the challenges that young Myanmar professional migrants to Thailand face in their personal and professional lives, and how these barriers might be overcome. It focused particularly on the transition difficulties faced by recent university graduates. The employment barriers included Thai language proficiency, cultural adaptation, legal barriers, and discriminatory practices, proposing strategic interventions to aid these young workers in achieving better employment outcomes and socio-economic integration. In this cross-sectional study, an online survey questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 350 professional migrants and university students from Myanmar who were living in Thailand. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentage distributions, t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, analysis of variance, and multiple regression. The findings suggested that statistically significant perceived barriers include learning the Thai language (p = .001), a lack of suitable job opportunities (p = .012), and legal barriers (p = .003). They also revealed that learning the Thai language is generally the single most important accomplishment that opens doors to more professional job opportunities. Thai language proficiency improves migrants’ ability communicate with officials, which is helpful in understanding and surmounting legal barriers to employment. This study’s findings provide practical steps that Myanmar professionals may take to facilitate and expedite their integration into Thai socio-economic culture.
References
Abikova, J., & Piotrowicz, W. (2021). Shaping the Balkan corridor: Development and changes in the migration route 2015-16. International Migration, 59, 248–265. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v7n24p52
Aung, P. T. (2021). Decision on later life migration of Myanmar migrant workers in Ranong province, Thailand [Master’s independent study, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand]. Chulalongkorn University Intellectual Repository. https://doi.org/10.58837/CHULA.IS.2021.106
Ban Ki-Moon. (2013). UN library. https://www.tumblr.com/un-library/135316318589/migration-is-an-expression-of-the-human
Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis with special reference to education (1st ed.). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 46(1), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/026999497378467
Best, J. W., & Kahn, J. V. (2014). Research in education. Pearson Education Limited.
Bhattacharya, S., & Raghuvanshi, S. (2021). Political turmoil, leadership fiasco, and economic fallout of Myanmar crisis in 2021. International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management (IJRESM), 4(3), 30–32. https://journal.ijresm.com/index.php/ijresm/article/view/550
Botan, (1969). Letters from Thailand (S. F. Kepner, Trans.; 2nd ed.). Silkworm Books. https://books.google.co.th/th/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AsYIBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT307&dq=letter+from+Thailand+article&ots=pIw6RI1kLA&sig=ROe1Hkw1ONFzLOxT2NgFbdoD9fM&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=letter%20from%20Thailand%20article&f=false
Chakma, S., & Chaijinda, N. (2020). Importance of reskilling and upskilling the workforce. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Sripatum, Chonburi, 6(2), 23-31. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ ISCJ/article/view/245447
Chantavanich, S., & Vungsiriphisal, P. (2012). Myanmar migrant to Thailand: Economic analysis and implications to Myanmar development. In Economic Reforms in Myanmar: Pathways and Prospects (pp. 213–280). https://www.ide.go.jp/library/English/Publish/Reports/Brc/pdf/10_06.pdf
Chokphukhiao, C., Tun, W. S. T., Masa, S., Chaiayuth, S., Loeiyood, J., Pongskul, C., & Patramanon, R. (2024). Revolutionizing elderly care: Building a healthier aging society through innovative long-term care systems and assessing the long-term care acceptance model. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 24(5), 477–485. https:/doi.org/10.1111/ggi.14856
Chotikasatien, P. (2023, June 9). Department of Employment has revised the step . . . to employ migrant workers. Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, Thailandhttps://www.doe.go.th/prd/main/news/param/site/1/cat/7/sub/0/pull/detail/view/detail/object_id/71068
Claridge, T. (2015, April 24). Putnam on social capital – Democratic or civic perspective. Institute for Social Capital. https://www.socialcapitalresearch.com/putnam-on-social-capital-democratic-or-civic-perspective/
Dhir, R. (2024, February 11). What is blue collar? Definition and job examples. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bluecollar.asp
Edwards, K. A., Mansaray, K., Maw, A. K. M., Myint, T. D., & Sinha Roy, S. (2024, June 30). Myanmar economic monitor: Livelihoods under threat (English). Myanmar Economic Monitor, World Bank Group. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documentsreports/documentdetail/099061124195517221/p5006631cca59607d182041fae76ab566cc
Gelderblom, D. (2018). The limits to bridging social capital: Power, social context and the theory of Robert Putnam. Sociological Review, 66(6), 1309–1324. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038026118765360
Hall, A. (2011). Migration and Thailand: Policy, perspectives, and challenges. In J. W. Huguet & A. Chamratrithirong (Eds.), Migration for development in Thailand: Overview and tools for policymakers (pp. 17–38). International Organization for Migration. https://publications.iom.int/ system/files/pdf/tmr_2011.pdf
Kaur, A. (2014). Managing labour migration in Malaysia: Guest worker programs and the regularisation of irregular labour migrants as a policy instrument. Asian Studies Review, 38(3), 345–366. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357823.2014.934659
Larson, E. W., Gray, C. F., & Sirisomboonsuk, P. (2024). Project management: A socio-technical approach (9th ed., p. 624). McGraw-Hill LLC.
Lee, E. S. (1966). A theory of migration. Demography, 3(1), 47–57. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2060063
Min, A. K., & Tontisirin, N. (2024). Relationships between Thai language proficiency and livelihoods of Myanmar urban workers. Journal of Architectural Planning Research and Studies, 21 (1), 75–96. https://doi.org/10.56261/jars.v21.256500
Myat, S. A. A (2020). Myanmar migrants to Thailand: Implications of financial remittances and social remittances in Mobility. Advance A Sage Preprint Community, 1, 1–5. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/896d/163af845b6b90850bda96225291ba3036592.pdf
Office of Foreign Workers Administration of Thailand (OFWA) (2025, April). Sathiti Jumnuan Tangdao Tee Dai Rub Anuyad Tumngan Khong Leua Tee Ratchaanachuk Maesayon 2568 [Legal Foreign Workers Statistics in Thailand, April 2025]. https://www.doe.go.th/prd/assets/upload/ files/alien_th/f710e632e48188bba999e2ffe8a7fda0.pdf
Parietti, M. (2024, November 1). Blue-collar vs. white-collar jobs: What’s the difference? Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/wealth-management/120215/ blue-collar-vs-white-collar-different-social-classes.asp
Pathumsri, K., Yodmalee, B., & Phaengsoi, K. (2014). Burmese migrant workers: Dimensions of cultural adaptation and an assimilation model for economic and social development in the central coastal region of Thailand. Asian Culture and History, 7(1), 35–40. https://doi.org/10.5539/ach.v7n1p35
Patton, G. S., Jr. (1939). Quotegancy. https://quotefancy.com/quote/815394/George-S-Patton-Jr-Good-tactics-can-save-even-the-worst-strategy-Bad-tactics-will-destroy
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone. Simon and Schuster.
Ratcliffe, R. (2025, January 31). Myanmar civil war: A quick guide to the conflict. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jan/31/why-is-myanmar-embroiled-in-conflict
San, T. (2020). Thai cultural standards from Myanmar perspectives [Master's thematic paper, Mahidol University, Thailand]. Mahidol University Digital Archive. https://archive.cm.mahidol.ac.th/ handle/123456789/3695
Sarapirom, K., Muensakda, P., & Sriwanna, T. (2020). Lifestyles of Myanmar migrant workers under Thai socio-cultural context: A challenge of state management in the future. Interdisciplinary Research Review, 15(5), 8–15. https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jtir/article/view/240032/164415
Scioritono, R., & Punpuing, S. (2009). International Migration in Thailand. International Organization for Migration. https://thailand.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1371/files/documents/EN%2520% 2520International%2520Migration% 2520in%2520Thailand.pdf
Shire, W. (2009). Amnesty International Ireland. https://www.amnesty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ home-by-warsan-shire.pdf
Siriphadaracht, S., Srisomsap, P., & Rugcharjaroen, K. (2025). Introducing Myanmar workers into the system in accordance with good governance principles. Rajapark Journal, 19(65), 163–176. https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RJPJ/article/view/282076/187696
Smith, M. (2002). Burma (Myanmar): The time for change. Minority Right Group International (MRG). https://minorityrights.org/app/uploads/2024/01/download-133-burmamyanmar-time-for-change.pdf
Tarver, E. (2024, March 8). What is social economics, and how does it impact society? Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-economics.asp
Thadchai, N., Suksawat, J., & Wongtim, S. (2018). Adaptation, positive thinking, and happiness in work performance affecting preparation to enter elderly social society. Human Behavior, Development and Society, 19, 105–112. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/hbds/article/view/156166/113358
Tungsuwan, S., Lekfuangfu, N., Pongpanarat, T., & Pruksakasemsuk, P. (2024, September 5). Employment 2024: Thailand trends and developments. Chambers and Partners. https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/employment-2024/thailand/trends-and- developments
van der Zee, K., & van Oudenhoven, J. P. (2022). Towards a dynamic approach to acculturation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 88, 119–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel. 2022.04.004
Wai, H. E. (2024). Challenges and strategies in English communication among Myanmar students in international programs in a Thai university [Master’s independent study, Thammasat University, Thailand]. https://ethesisarchive.library.tu.ac.th/thesis/2024/TU_2024_6621040416_21073_30780.pdf
Yeoh, B., & Lin, W. (2013). Chinese migration to Singapore: Discourses and discontents in a globalising nation-state. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 22(1), 31–54. https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/273313265_Chinese_Migration_to_Singapore_Discourses_and_Discontents_in_a_Globalizing_Nation-State
Yüksel, I. (2012). Developing a multi-criteria decision making model for PESTEL analysis. International Journal of Business and Management 7(24), 52–66. https://doi.org/10.553
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Naw Soul Hsar Heay, Henry Foster, Wayne Hamra
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
