Chin diaspora and their social networks in Thailand : implications for development in Myanmar

Abstract

Due to socioeconomic and political reasons, Chin ethnic people from the western part of Myanmar have been migrating to inner part of the country and abroad. Economic growth and requirement of low skill labor in Thailand since the 1980s have been the pull factors for low skill migrants from its neighbors, including Myanmar. Chin people came to Thailand not only for economic opportunities but also for onward migration. The purpose of this research is to explore the social networks of Chin diaspora in Thailand and their implication to the economic and political development of their home community in Myanmar. With that, diaspora concept of Safran (1991) and migrant social networks concept of Weber (2014) were applied in this research.

By using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, the research finds out that the Chin diaspora in Thailand, comprised on different sub-ethnic origins who were from different parts of Myanmar, have similar diasporic characteristics, except in the case of their myth of origin. It is found out that they form fellowships usually related to the Christian churches which facilitates their social networking in Thailand. Sub-fellowships are formed usually based on sub-ethnicity and homophilic tendency exists in transnational networks as well. The research finds out that Chin diaspora in Thailand are committed to sending remittance but they are not keen in political participation for their home community but for some factors.

As such, the thesis concludes that Chin diaspora in Thailand meets the six features of the Safran (1991). The strength of ties is stronger within the sub-ethnic networks than their networks as a whole. The Chin diaspora in Thailand moderately contributes to the economic development of their home community and their political implication is weak. The research assesses their future aspiration and predicts that their return is less likely to happen in the near future.