International Migrant Remittances and Saving from Thailand to Neighboring Countries

Abstract

Remittances are a vital source of income for poor migrant sending countries. The purpose of research is to identify the determinants of remittances of migrant workers in Thailand, that are, Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao migrants. Data collection of 511 migrant workers in central region of Thailand. Methodology uses probit regression analysis. Research results present that the migrants are classified into three groups, which are, first time migration (45.21%), second times migration (26.81%) and third or more times migration (27.98%). Determinants of remittance of Cambodia migrants are first time migration, be registered or documented migrant, single status, household size and number of migrating household members in Thailand. Remittance of Myanmar migrants rely on social assistance, be documented migrant, number of months visit home in the last two years, length of stay in Thailand and number of migrating household members in Thailand. For Lao migrants, remittances are influenced by saving, male status, Income, be documented migrant, household size, real estate owned, and burden of family.