Voices of Migrant Workers on Health Services in Thailand and on Living with Thai People

Abstract

This study investigates attitudes of migrant workers towards health services in Thailand and their voices on living with Thai people. The study employed Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method among workers from Myanmar and Cambodia in 6 provinces including Chiang Mai, Tak, Samutsakhorn, Rayong, Trad, and Ranong.
Migrants were found to be well knowledgeable of the sources of health services and personnel, including health centers, hospitals, as well as the migrant health volunteers. They also knew well about migrants’ service centers (drop-in centers) or services of the non-government organization (NGO) at the sites. In case of severe illness, they would go for services at the hospital. In some areas, some migrants would go to clinics rather
than hospitals due to lack of migrant worker registration card, and problem of communication. In general, migrants were satisfied with the services both from the government and NGO. However, migrants perceived that they did not receive equal treatment compared to Thai people in the same community. Voices from migrants revealed that Thais still resented and insulted migrant workers, and did not try to learn and understand the culture that was different from theirs. Because of this, periodical
disputes became inevitable.