Trend Analysis of Migration Data in Thailand 2019-2023

TREND ANALYSIS OF MIGRATION DATA IN THAILAND 2019-2023 13 RECENT INTERNAL MIGRATION FLOWS MAP 1: NET MIGRATION AMONG RECENT INTERNAL MIGRANTS PER YEAR (CUBE ROOT TRANSFORMED) Map 1 presents the net migration across each province in Thailand, calculated as the difference between incoming (those who entered the province) and outgoing (those who exited the province) recent internal migrants for each year. Provinces shaded in red indicate areas with higher numbers of outgoing migrants, while greener provinces have more incoming migrants. From 2019 through 2023, Bangkok province consistently experienced a net outflow of internal migrants. Moreover, all provinces in Greater Bangkok Area experienced a significant net outflow of recent internal migrants in 2021. This was largely due to the pandemic's impact on economic and social factors, including extensive layoffs, the high cost of living in Bangkok and the shift to remote work arrangements, which led many people to return to their hometowns to support their families during uncertain times. In 2022 onwards, some provinces in Greater Bangkok Area began to see higher net inflows again. Similarly, while Surat Thani province experienced a high influx of recent internal migrants from 2019 to 2020, beginning in 2021, there were higher levels of outgoing migrants, reaching its peak in 2023. From 2019 to 2021, most provinces in the north of Thailand, excluding Chiang Rai, had more incoming than outgoing migrants; however, by 2022 and 2023, the trend reversed, with many northern provinces experiencing a net outflow. 5 Cube root transformation is a mathematical operation used to reduce skewness and stabilize variance in data. It can be applied to both zero and negative values. 5 DISCLAIMER: This map is for illustration purposes only. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the International Organization for Migration.