Abstract
Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) is committed to develop a guideline for the management and improvement of healthcare system for migrant workers in Thailand, by relying on knowledge and empirical data as a basis for development. The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has received research grants from HSRI to conduct research on the attitude of Thais towards migrant workers in public health, economic and security aspects of Thailand, with Dr. Yongyuth Chalermwong being the head of this project. This research aims to study and synthesize the government policies and regulations on the attitudes of Thais (and government) toward migrant workers in dimensions of public health, economic and national security. Also, to study a linkage of Thai (and government) attitudes towards management policies related to migrant worker. The study concludes that the Thais attitude towards migrant workers are diverse, both positive and negative, depending on which group of Thais, such as locals, Thai workers, Thai officers, Thai employers, and so on, and their interaction. The policy for managing migrants was established under the concept of maintaining national security which regulates policies for migrants very strictly. In addition, the concept of maintaining the country’s security is influenced by economic and public health dimensions. The feeling of Thais expressed through their actions towards migrant workers varies in different dimensions. In terms of public health, In the economic dimension, on the national security aspect. This study also pointed out the important determinant of attitudes of Thai people towards migrant workers in appropriate forms of communication. To create a contextual understanding of each dimension, it involves the coexistence of Thais and migrants. This issue is important to all parties because it will lead to situational awareness. This will be very useful for policy making. In addition, by creating a platform for Thais and migrant workers to participate together, it will create a major turning point in the perception and understanding of migrants' lives, leading to a change of attitude, and a better view from Thais toward migrant workers.
