Areas of Work

Border Health and Migrant Program

Non-Thai migrant populations

An estimated 3.1million non-Thai migrant are living in Thailand, mostly from the Mekong countries, but less than half of these are registered according to the latest data from the Ministry of Labor (1).  Migrants work predominantly in low-skill occupations in agriculture, fishing, and factories; however, studies have confirmed that migrants are needed for the long-term economic development of Thailand and account for 5% of the labor force within Thailand.  Additionally, it is estimated that migrant workers contribute about 6.2% of the GDP of Thailand (2).

Photo: Human Rights watch

Currently, access to health services for most migrants is linked to a complex process of registering,   obtaining a work permit, and purchasing an insurance package under what is known as the Compulsory Migrant Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).  As of March 2012, approximately 1.35million migrants (3) are eligible to access CMHIS, but not all migrants take advantage of this option.  A smaller number of migrants are eligible for care through the Social Security System; the remainder must pay out of pocket or seek alternative sources of health care.

Data on the health status, health-care seeking behavior, and access to health services among non-Thai migrants (and their accompanying families) is limited, especially for unregistered migrants.  A 2010 comprehensive review of research gaps concerning the health of migrants in Thailand conducted by Mahidol University and sponsored by WHO, outlined the major data deficits and challenges in understanding the health problems of migrants (4).

The sparse epidemiologic data for migrants that is available indicates that the health concerns of this comparatively young population are primarily communicable diseases (5).  However, direct comparisons to the local Thai community are problematic due to the lack of migrant health data and major differences in age-sex structures and socio-economic profiles between Thai and non-Thai populations.  Nevertheless, given the close interactions of these populations, the health security of both the communities is clearly linked.

WHO has long been involved in addressing the issues of migrant and border health from a practical and policy perspective (6).   WHO’s approach to tackling these complex challenges seeks to account for linkages among governance, service delivery, information, financing, medicines, and human resources in the health system.  In recognition of the need for comprehensive, reliable information and research from these multiple sectors, WHO has conducted or sponsored a wide variety of studies on migrant health issues in Thailand. A key focus has been on developing a health systems approach to address multiple facets of the issue (7). Specific work has also been directed to assisting with the development of sustainable solutions for the financing of health care and services for non-Thais (8). Providing this information is essential for advocacy efforts and policy development for a comprehensive approach to migrant and border health.

(1)International Organization of Migration,  Thailand Migration Report-2011.  Bangkok: IOM, 2011.

(2) Martin, Philip. The economic contribution of migrant workers to Thailand: towards policy development. Bangkok: International Labour Office, 2007.

(3) Health Insurance Cluster, Permanent Secretary Office, Ministry of Public Health, Data as of 29 February 2012 

(4) Baker S. Holumyong C, and Thianlai. Research gaps concerning the health of migrants from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar in Thailand. Bangkok:  Institute of Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, and WHO. 2010.

(5) International Organization of Migration,  Thailand Migration Report-2011.  Bangkok: IOM, 2011.

(6) See Supporting health systems development for migrant populations: a WHO strategy for support to migrant health development in Thailand, WHO, September 2008; see also Improving access to health care for migrants and refugees, WHO September 2010 issue.

(7) Institute for Population and Social Research.  A situation analysis on health system strengthening for migrants in Thailand. Mahidol University and WHO.  November 2011.

(8) Srithamrongsawat S et al. Financing healthcare for migrants: a case study from Thailand.  IOM and WHO. 2009.