Differentials in Repeat and Return Migration in Thailand, 1965-1970.

Abstract

Patterns of repeat and return migration in Thailand were assessed using place of residence data from a 2% sample tape from the 1970 Census and place of residence and place of birth data from the 1965 census. By integrating the data from these 2 sources investigators were able to divide the population into 5 migration status categories and to calculate the % of the population in each category. For the total population 81.9% of the males and 84.6% of the females were categoried as non-migrants as their reported place of birth 1965 place of residence and 1970 place of residence were identical. 11.6% of the males and 10.2% of the females were classed as settled migrants. Their 1965 and 1970 place of residence was the same but their place of birth was different. 4.6% of the males and 3.6% of the females were classed as primary migrants. Their place of birth and 1965 place of residence were the same but differed from their 1970 place of residence. 0.5% of the males and 0.6% of the females were categorized as return migrants as their place of birth and 1970 place of residence were the same but differed from their 1965 place of residence. 1.3% of the males and 1.0% of the females were classed as repeat migrants as their place of birth 1965 residence and 1970 residence were all different. The vast majority of the population was non-migratory. Migration patterns were analyzed by urban and rural place of residence and by age sex and socioeconomic status. Almost 50% of the Bangkok population and more than 1/4 of the population of other urban areas were migrants. In the rural areas only about 12-14% of the population was composed of migrants. In the urban areas most of the primary had rural origins while the repeat and return migrants tended to have urban origins. The population of migrants in rural areas who were return and repeat migrants was higher than in urban areas. There were considerable age and occupational differences between migrant groups and non-migrants. Education and migration were positively related. Repeat migrant population in small urban centers had a disproportionally high humber of government workers and individuals with high education.