New Chinese Migrants in Thailand and the Perceived Impact on Thai People

Approximately 110,000–130,000 new Chinese migrants reside in Thailand in 2022. They are comprised of five categories: entrepreneurs, employees, students, accompanying family members and lifestyle migrants.

These migrants contribute to the Thai economy but also precipitate negative impacts as well.

Some stay and work in Thailand illegally, and some engage in unlawful business practices.

Five positive impacts include business cooperation, economic circulation, sources of Chinese-speaking manpower, technological transfers and a cross-cultural environment.

Five perceived negative impacts are bad public mannerisms, occupying of local jobs, competition in business, control of businesses and tarnishing of Thailand’s reputation.

• Sivarin Lertpusit, Author

  Sivarin Lertpusit is Assistant Professor at the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Thammasat University and a former Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore.