Economic Status and Capital Management of Communities with Transnational Families in Northeast Thailand
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Abstract
This article aims to present the economic status and capital management of communities in Thailand’s Northeast provinces of Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, where large numbers of transnational families live. A mixed research method was used. For the qualitative method, data were obtained from in-depth interviews with 30 key informants consisting of 20 representatives from transnational families and 10 experts. For the quantitative method, structured interviews were used to collect data from the sample group, who are citizens or representatives of households in the communities where 400 transnational families live. The study found that the economic status of most of the families is similar, with an average annual income of between 100,001 and 500,000 baht. Most transnational families are able to improve their economic status through remittances and support from foreign husbands, which contribute to accumulation of capital that includes money, land, and investments in various businesses. They are also able to enhance their social status in terms of becoming more accepted and playing a greater role in the community. Overall, capital management of these communities has a high level of community capital management, accounting for 54.25 percent, with physical capital being managed the most, followed by social, cultural, local knowledge and wisdom, economic, and natural capital, respectively.
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Dao. (Pseudonym). (2021, June 13). Interview. Member of a community with transnational marriages between Thai women and foreign men, Udon Thani, Thailand.
Decha. (Pseudonym). (2021, June 13). Interview. Member of a community with transnational marriages between Thai women and foreign men, Udon Thani, Thailand.
Jamrus. (Pseudonym). (2021, June 9). Interview. Member of a community with transnational marriages between Thai women and foreign men, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
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